Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of the Inland Fisheries in 2010 and 2011 and also the savings since the Regional Boards were abolished. [17000/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) was established on 1 July 2010 following the enactment of the Inland Fisheries Ireland Act 2010, with the merger of the seven Regional and Central Fisheries Boards. The Exchequer funding drawn down by IFI from my Department for 2010 and 2011 is as follows: -

2010 – €14.1 million (for the period 1 July to 31 December)

2011 – €25 million.

Direct Exchequer funding for IFI was reduced by €2.582 million in 2010 compared to 2009 and there was a further €0.749 million reduction in 2011 although not all of this is attributable to savings arising from the restructuring of the inland fisheries sector.

It is not possible to fully extrapolate on an item by item basis the savings which have arisen from the merger of the former regional boards; however it is clear that significant administrative savings have been made. The economies of scale that resulted in these administrative savings are being sought across all expense headings, and I anticipate scope for further savings.