Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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518. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 277 of 3 October 2019, if the one completed third-party project application to the midlands fisheries fund referred to is that of instream fisheries enhancement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41685/19]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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519. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 277 of 3 October 2019, if one completed third-party project application to the midlands fisheries fund is the sum total of stakeholders applications to the midlands fund for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41686/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 519 together.

I can confirm that there was one completed third party application for funding from the 2019 Midland Fisheries Fund. The application included elements of instream habitat enhancement and riparian zone management.

In the context of fisheries development funding, I would emphasise that the Midlands Fisheries Fund is one small element within the funding streams available under the umbrella of the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD). In that regard Inland Fisheries Ireland expects to award funding to 8 instream enhancement projects this year and made funding awards to 3 such projects in 2018.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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520. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 of 3 October 2019, if he will consider allocating funds to the 2020 Inland Fisheries Ireland budget to allow the IFI to reinstate its invaluable design and supervision service for the IFI and OPW capital instream fishery enhancement programme to recommence in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41687/19]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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521. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of instream fishery enhancement plans that have been provided by the external panel of consultants that Inland Fisheries Ireland has assembled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41688/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 521 together.

I am satisfied that the Project Management Office (PMO) in Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has the appropriate staff compliment and expertise to facilitate and support instream fisheries enhancement projects undertaken by IFI and/or third parties.

My Department provided additional funding to IFI to facilitate the recruitment of Project Officers in the PMO and these posts are now an integral part of IFI funding and service provision. The Project Officers facilitate project promoters to ensure that correct and appropriate environmental and governance procedures are followed.

IFI are conscious at all times of the need and requirement to ensure a holistic approach to fisheries development that does not damage sensitive habitats or fauna. Earlier this year IF made an additional resource available to the PMO to further support the design elements of river habitat enhancement projects.

This additional appointee is involved, inter alia, in the design of certain river habitat enhancement projects, on OPW drained channels, that have been allocated funding. This support is aimed particularly towards applicants to overcome any perceived inability or uncertainty in progressing design elements. I am advised by IFI that it anticipates that the design and development of these projects will continue into 2020.

In 2017 IFI established a panel of environmental engineering consultants to carry out, if required, feasibility studies and engineering designs in environmentally sensitive habitats. To date IFI has not had to request that they prepare any instream fishery enhancement plans. Use of the panel is not obligatory and applicants are free to use other suitably qualified and insured consultants.

I can confirm that in 2018 IFI awarded funding to 3 instream fisheries enhancement projects. In 2019 IFI expects to award funding to 8 instream enhancement projects.