Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2240. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 736 of 11 July 2019, the funding streams to which the remaining four expressions of interest aligned, that is, midland or NSAD; if the expressions of interest are from stakeholders, Inland Fisheries Ireland or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33072/19]
View answer2241. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 736 of 11 July 2019, the number of third-party applications regarding instream fishery enhancement projects; the value of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33073/19]
View answer2242. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 736 of 11 July 2019, the number of applications to Inland Fisheries Ireland regarding instream fishery enhancement projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33074/19]
View answer2243. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the promised reinstatement in 2020 of the Inland Fisheries Ireland programme of instream work will operate from design inception to delivery and sign off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33075/19]
View answer2244. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the scale of the Inland Fisheries Ireland budget for its 2020 instream fishery enhancement programme; the source of the funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33076/19]
View answer2245. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 593 of 25 June 2019, his views on whether the instream works as described have come to an end due to Inland Fisheries Ireland withholding design and supervision services to the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33077/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2240 to 2245, inclusive, together.
As previously indicated, the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for fisheries projects remains open at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). As a result, numbers of EOI’s submitted may change and not all EOIs will progress to project application and award. In addition, the classification of the 4 EOIs referred to had not been completed when the original question was tabled by the Deputy.
The 32 EOI’s referred to in the Question No. 736 of 11 July relate to the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Funding. 20 of these are from IFI, 11 from third parties and 1 has since been withdrawn.
Across all funding schemes available, there are 10 third party completed EOIs for in-stream enhancement projects at an estimated value of €241,710. There are also 17 completed IFI EOIs for in-stream enhancement projects at an estimated value of €608,510.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 735 of 11 July confirming IFI’s intention to operate a programme of fisheries development, including in-stream projects, subject to justified need and available resources. Pre-fishery enhancement surveys will enable IFI to support its interventions and monitor effectiveness thereafter. IFI facilitates projects from inception to delivery and sign off.
It is anticipated that funding will be available under the Salmon and Seatrout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection scheme which is an on-going sustainable funding scheme based on distribution of State monies collected for licensing of anglers and commercial fishermen. 2020 allocations to Departmental Votes have not yet been agreed.
IFI and OPW continue to operate jointly under an agreed Memorandum of Understanding and in-stream works continue in that context.
In view of the number of questions tabled by the Deputy and her interest in fisheries development, I have, on a number of occasions, offered her a detailed briefing from IFI. However, if preferred, funding guides and information are available on the IFI website:
https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Angling-Information/funding-for-fisheries-projects.html#guides-and-funding-portal.
