Written answers

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Angling Sector

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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452. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of plans to ensure that funding that was granted to an organisation (details supplied) is issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26422/18]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The funding referred to by the Deputy was conditionally awarded by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) under the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) in December 2016.  The disbursement of grant aid in relation to NSAD is a day to day operational function for IFI. In common with other grant aid schemes involving public funds, there are terms and conditions as well as governance requirements to be met by project promoters before payment can be made.  This is to ensure that public funding is spent in an appropriate manner, including value for money and that insurances and appropriate permissions are provided.

I am advised by IFI that the club delivered the project with a number of the requirements outstanding, most notably, approval to start the works and supervision of same by local fisheries staff. This conflicts with the requirements set out in the conditional award letter and funding agreement of December 2016.

Due to flooding damage in August 2017, there is no clear evidence of when the project began or when it was completed. It is unclear how much of the works were undertaken or to what standard because IFI were, contrary to the terms of the funding offer, not afforded the required opportunity to supervise or inspect the works so that payment of public funds could be approved. However, I am advised that the local fisheries inspector has confirmed what other works have been undertaken and evidenced.

IFI communicated with the applicant in May 2018, outlining the situation and advising that an appeal procedure is available under the NSAD.  The appeals procedure is the appropriate mechanism for the applicant to address the issue. Details of the process can be found on the Inland fisheries Ireland website: //www.fisheriesireland.ie/extranet/other-1/1503-grants-programmes-appeals-procedure.html.

A reminder of the appeals procedure was issued to the applicant in early June but to date no appeal has been received.

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