John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1134. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to fund the works required on the river Nore, Kilkenny to remove blockages along the river for the safe passage of fish; the work programme and locations along the Nore at which funding will be spent to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13830/17]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) manages the Salmon Conservation Fund (SCF) which is used to promote the recovery of our salmon stocks and habitats taking into account project feasibility, funding availability and value for money considerations.  

The SCF is funded from the sale of salmon angling and commercial fishing licences which represents a major contribution by licence holders to wild salmon conservation.

Fishery Owners, Angling Clubs, Commercial Fishermen and Inland Fisheries Ireland can apply to this fund for projects which will enhance the conservation status of our fisheries resource.

I am advised by IFI that they successfully completed a very significant infrastructural project in 2014 which significantly improved fish passage at a large weir at Castletown on the River Nore.  In addition, IFI are currently undertaking a project, funded by SCF, involving pruning and bank stabilisation works on the Kings River, an important tributary of the River Nore. This project will enhance fisheries habitat in the river.

IFI are also exploring potential works on a number of other barriers on the Nore system, which are considered to impede the free movement of fish. A significant amount of preliminary work goes into bringing projects to planning stage particularly in relation to land owner and fishery owner permissions, technical challenges and resource capacity.

IFI will continue to explore opportunities for habitat improvement works. Where such opportunities exist projects are assessed on feasibility, resource availability and value for money considerations.