Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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66. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions taken to meet the objective of recognising angling as a key leisure and recreation pursuit, which is one of the key objectives of the National Strategy for Angling Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13884/17]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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76. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions in terms of the National Strategy for Angling Development for improving and developing angling for recreation and leisure in addition to the tourism potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13688/17]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1132. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the funding of €5 million per annum for five years associated with the national angling plan launched over 12 months ago has been put in place; the amount of funding spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13827/17]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 76, 1132 and 1141 together.

The angling sector contributes €836 million to the Irish economy every year supporting 11,000 Irish jobs, often in rural and peripheral communities where fewer job opportunities are available.

The National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) is the first comprehensive national framework for the development of our angling resource. It aims to increase economic contribution of angling to €932 million per year and increase employment by over 1,800 jobs.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is already investigating the full array of potential funding sources.

My Department provided €500,000 for funding support for the NSAD in 2016 and IFI reviewed project applications based on this funding.  I announced approval for the first €500,000 of investment for 50 community-based projects nationwide in December last. 

I have also secured an additional €1.5 million for NSAD investment for this year and further tranches of project funding will be announced in 2017.

In addition, IFI has secured funding of €536,000 from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the Action Plan for Rural Development, with which the NSAD is aligned.

The NSAD identifies 3 high level strategic objectives;

- Making angling accessible and attractive through information, infrastructure and support.

- Tourism development through promotion of our angling resource.

- Recognition of angling as a key leisure and recreation pursuit.

The Strategy aims to develop our angling resource sustainably through balancing the economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects of any development in line with IFI’s responsibilities for the protection, management, conservation and development of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

The strategy is intended to deliver a wide-ranging set of investments, innovations and promotions over the coming years to deliver considerable benefits in terms of employment, tourism and health and wellbeing, particularly in rural areas.  Effective and sustainable implementation of the NSAD, delivered together with local and national stakeholders, will ensure stability of existing jobs and businesses reliant on angling; and the creation of new jobs as the economic impact of angling grows.

This will ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced for both their economic value and their recreational benefit to the communities and visitors they serve across Ireland.