Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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1119. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if budget 2016 will provide additional funding to Inland Fisheries Ireland; if the 34% reduction in staffing over recent years will be reversed under budget 2016; if the 32 staff who are on temporary contracts can be moved to full-time contracts under this allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37561/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The 2016 Estimates provision for inland fisheries, which encompasses Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Loughs Agency, is €27.021 million, an increase of almost €700,000 on the 2015 provision.

The establishment of IFI in 2010 has facilitated an improved national perspective in the formulation of inland fisheries policy which is more streamlined, coherent and integrated. It also facilitates the achievement of efficiencies in the effective management of the inland fisheries resource.

The Deputy will also appreciate that the Board and Senior Management of IFI have a key role in ensuring that the Agency continues to meet its objectives towards the conservation, protection, promotion and development of the inland fisheries resource. In achieving its objectives, IFI is delivering on the imperative, common to all Public Bodies, to achieve efficiencies and to maintain a high level of service.

IFI staff have embraced a range of changed work practices to improve operational efficiency. These include the increased use of technology and specialist vehicle and water craft patrols. These innovations underpin the imperative of ensuring the optimum deployment of resources.

I can confirm that an increase in staff numbers to 312 has been authorised and that sanction was received in 2015 for 35 additional temporary seasonal staff.