This week sees the announcement of new funding approved by Cabinet for young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds to have opportunities to embark on tall ship training voyages.

Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Disabilities, Finian McGrath, will launch the new youth development funding in conjunction with Sail Training Ireland from the Brian Ború docked at Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club in Ringsend tomorrow lunchtime, Friday 11 January.

It’s believed that the new initiative would benefit young people many of whom have been referred to the sailing charity by judges, Garda, Tusla and other groups working with vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

In November, Sail Training Ireland was shortlisted in the National Inclusion Awards, welcoming the news as “recognition of the fact that 86 people or 25% of our trainees [in 2018] had a disability of some kind”.

Seal Rescue Ireland has been awarded €15,000 in funding for its animal welfare efforts going into 2019.

The Courtown, Co Wexford-based organisation is one of 108 that received funding awards from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that total a record €2,751,000.

Two other marine wildlife-related recipients were Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue, which gets €5,500, and the Oiled Wildlife Response Network at Shannon Foynes Port which will get €2,000.

“It gives me great pleasure in awarding this funding, which is the largest ever allocation of funding by my department to animal welfare organisations,” said Minister Michael Creed, who added that “we are very fortunate in Ireland in having a voluntary sector dedicated to animal welfare”.

The Minister acknowledged that the workload for many of these organisations has increased over recent years on account of a number of factors, including the active enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

He also noted the work undertaken by staff in his own Department on animal welfare matters, and stated that he and his officials will continue to work closely with animal welfare groups.

And he reminded the public of the dedicated email address ([email protected]) and helpline (01 607 2379 or Call Save 0761 064 408) in operation in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for members of the public to report incidents of animal neglect and cruelty.

#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has launched its Sponsorship Programme for 2019 and is now inviting applications from suitable angling events and initiatives nationwide.

The programme, which is one of the funding mechanisms of the National Strategy for Angling Development, awarded funding to 62 Irish angling events and 10 teams representing Ireland in overseas international events to the combined value of €30,000 last year.

Sean Canney, Minister of State with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector, said: “I want to congratulate Inland Fisheries Ireland for making financial support available once again in 2019 for projects and events which will support novice and junior anglers and help grow angling tourism.

“I support Inland Fisheries Ireland’s aim to help ‘bring angling to the people’ by supporting initiatives which help remove barriers to those looking to try fishing or for younger people who already enjoy the pursuit. IFI is working to support events and initiatives which promote the angling tourism product with a view to growing angler tourist numbers and economic return.”

The Sponsorship Programme supported 17 initiatives by local angling clubs during the year which included junior competitions, summer leagues, disability outreach programmes and angling coaching workshops.

In total, 630 juvenile and novice anglers participated in these initiatives and almost 300 of them joined a fishing club for the first time following their participation in a local engagement project.

In addition to junior and novice angling projects, there were 28 large scale angling events supported via the programme in 2018 with 1,866 experienced anglers taking part. Over 800 anglers travelled from outside Ireland to participate in these angling competitions, IFI says.

The events and initiatives which are eligible for funding in 2019 include:

• Large international competitions held in Ireland which showcase Ireland’s angling and contribute to local economies, supporting jobs and businesses.
• Novice angler events and training courses which increase participation in angling including funding of transport hire for participants to facilitate attendance at novice angler events.
• Initiatives to promote fisheries awareness and/or conservation and protection of the inland fisheries and sea angling resource.
• Initiatives promoting angling as a key Irish tourism activity, such as via high quality angling promotional videos, seminars, coaching, training, workshops, etc.
• Juvenile and minority angling teams representing Ireland at international events both home and abroad.

“Our 2019 Sponsorship Programme will play an important role in driving angling participation among novice and junior anglers,” said Suzanne Campion, head of business development at IFI. “The Sponsorship Programme has awarded €30,000 per year over the past five years to angling clubs and groups nationwide to help in the delivery of local angling events.

“In addition to supporting those who are casting for the first time, we also have a unique opportunity to grow our angling tourism product. The Sponsorship Scheme offers clubs and associations an incentive to engage overseas anglers to visit our renowned wild fisheries and to enjoy fishing here in a conservation focused manner.”

Applications for funding from the Sponsorship Scheme are now invited from angling clubs, associations or any local group organising an angling initiative.

The scheme will remain open for funding applications until Friday 18 January with applications for equipment, staff support and biosecurity assistance available throughout the year. Awards will be subject to budget availability and adherence to the scheme requirements.

To find out more and to apply, see the Sponsorship Programme page on the IFI website.

Ambitions for a National Watersport Centre in Dun Laoghaire could be revived following the launch of a new State fund supporting infrastructure for multi-sports projects.

Applications are now being invited for the the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, launched by Ministers Shane Ross and Brendan Griffin this week.

The scheme is initially open to applications from national governing bodies (NGBs) and local authorities (LAs) and will consist of two streams.

Stream one, which is aimed at smaller NGBs and LAs, will help fund the development of proposals to tender stage. Stream two will assist applicants to bring projects from tender stage to completion.

The scheme encourages multi-functional sports facilities that will serve more than one sport — which is in line with previous proposals to make Dun Laoghaire a national hub for sailing, kayaking, rowing and more.

Sharing between sports, NGBs and LAs is encouraged and such projects will be viewed more favourably by the fund. The scheme will also require a minimum contribution of 30% from applicants toward the cost of any works/design.

The new fund is separate and distinct from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s long-running Sports Capital Programme (SCP), which is focused on smaller capital projects where the maximum grant is €150,000.

The full terms and conditions of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund and application forms can be found HERE.

#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has been awarded funding to develop angling among young people as part of the Dormant Account Action Plan 2018.

“Inland Fisheries Ireland was chosen as a recipient of two funding measures which will engage and support young and novice anglers in Ireland,” said Seán Kyne, Minister of State for Rural Affairs and Natural Resources, announcing the funding yesterday (Thursday 19 July).

“The funding will see the development of a new novice angling strategy, a scheme to support angling events for novice and youth anglers and the appointment of five Regional Outreach Co-ordinators”.

Novice Angling Strategy (€70,000)
This measure will see the development of a Novice/Youth Angling Strategy and a scheme to support events for disadvantaged groups, angling hubs and coaches to ensure a safe environment for youths and vulnerable adults. IFI will continue to support Angling for Youth Development Ireland (AFYDI) and the Angling Council of Ireland (ACI) who facilitate the formation of angling hubs nationally to increase access to angling through the provision of trained coaches and safe fishing.

Go Fishing - Novice Angling Initiative (€323,250)
This project will see the appointment of five regional Outreach Coordinators in the major urban areas who will work with Angling for Youth Development Ireland, the Angling Council of Ireland and other angling organisations to increase the numbers engaging in angling across the regions.

The Dormant Account Action Plan allocates €40 million in funding to 45 measures nationwide. Its funding supplements the support already allocated by IFI to youth angling via the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD). These five appointments, together with NSAD supported posts, will deliver national education and outreach and novice angling briefs.

The funding will also allow IFI to properly resource a novice angling strategy which will incorporate one of its existing youth angling programmes, the Dublin Angling Initiative, and the many other education and outreach initiatives which are taking place across the country. It will also reach out to and include angling and voluntary organisations nationwide.

“We are delighted to welcome this funding, which will support us in growing the numbers of novice and youth anglers in Ireland,” said IFI chief executive Dr Ciaran Byrne. “Recent socio-economic studies of recreational angling in Ireland reveal that of the 325,000 anglers in Ireland, 37% are over 55 years of age and 49% are in the 35-54 age bracket. We know however that 83% of primary school students we surveyed want to go fishing.

“There is a huge opportunity for us to engage the next generation around our natural fisheries resource and to introduce them to angling, a pastime they can enjoy at any age or ability with many health and wellbeing benefits. The Dormant Account funding will help us realise our ambitious objectives of growing participation in fishing nationally and secure the future of our resource as a result.

“We look forward to working closely with angling groups and communities across Ireland in the development of a new Youth Angling Strategy and the roll out of related novice angling initiatives.”

#IrishHarbours - According to Galway Bay fm, €225,000 has been ringfenced for harbour projects in the county.

€112,000 will be spent on slipway and pier infrastructure at Crumpan Pier, Carna.

A further €112,000 will go towards slipway and pier extension works at Droim, Lettermore.

The money has been announced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as part of a €2.2 million national fund.

#Fishing - Funding for a new slipway has been allocated for the harbour at Ros a Mhil in Connemara.

According to Galway Bay FM, it’s part of a 27.9 million euro fund for 2018 Capital projects at Ireland’s six fishery harbour centres.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed has announced the funding for Ros a Mhil, Howth, Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East and Killybegs.

The funds which will provide for a new slipway in Ros a Mhil, a small craft harbour welfare building, deep water quay preparation, safety and maintenance and disability access.

#IrishSailing - Irish Sailing has received the second-highest allocation from Sport Ireland for High Performance Programmes in 2018.

On Thursday 1 February, Sport Minister Brendan Griffin announced this year’s around of investment for 2018, which sees Ireland’s national governing body for sailing get €735,000 for high performance projects — second only to Athletics Ireland at €790,000 — on the eve of the first qualifiers for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Irish Sailing also receives €323,000 in core funding under the €10.8 million investment package for National Governing Bodies for Sport, and €18,000 under the Women in Sport programme.

Commenting on the high performance grant, Irish Sailing performance director James O’Callaghan said: “It is a fantastic endorsement of our sport and reflects the efforts put in by our sailors, coaches and clubs throughout the country into the performance pathway.

“Despite the generous support, the pathway still faces challenges to deliver a world class programme from junior to Olympic classes.

“2018 is Olympic qualifying year which is a huge milestone in the quadrennial. Our next challenge is to secure additional funding for capital equipment.

O’Callaghan added: “The Irish Sailing Foundation, set up to bridge the financial gap, was a big contributor to the programme in 2017 and it is hoped this will grow further in 2018 enabling continued success.”

Other aquatic sporting bodies benefitting from this year’s funding package include Rowing Ireland, with €210,000 in core funding, €525,000 under the High Performance programme and €45,000 under Women in Sport; and Canoeing Ireland, which receives €205,000 in core funding and €40,000 under High Performance.

The Irish Surfing Association gets €64,000 to match its core funding in 2017, plus €7,000 under Women in Sport, while the Irish Underwater Council, which governs diving and other subaquatic sports, receives €60,000 in core funding.

Meanwhile, the Irish Waterski & Wakeboard Federation gets €20,000 core funding, and the Angling Council of Ireland receives €10,000 core funding plus €4,000 under Women in Sport.

These grants are in addition the funding allocated under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme for local projects and regional developments that were announced in November and December respectively.

#Angling - Sean Kyne, Minister with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector, has welcomed the award of funding to the value of €2.2m by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to 115 angling development and conservation initiatives as part of its National Strategy for Angling Development, Salmon Conservation Fund and Midlands Fisheries Fund.

The projects, which focus on improving Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resource, will begin delivery in 2018.

In total, applications for over 140 projects were received bringing the overall value of projects applying for funding to above €2.9 million.

Minister Kyne said: “I would like to congratulate the applicants who have been awarded this funding. The projects receiving funding are located in 24 counties across the country.

“They include fisheries habitat conservation projects as well as the provision of infrastructure and equipment to allow for improved access to angling. Education/youth initiatives and projects aimed at attracting increased numbers of tourist anglers also attracted funding.”

Minister Kyne also noted the recently announced new ‘Fisheries Projects Animators’ scheme, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

“That initiative will support the implementation of these projects in assisting community organisations nationwide in realising these ambitious angling projects and conservation initiatives over the coming year,” he added.

The 2017 funding call was first announced in August, with local groups and individuals including local development associations, tidy towns, angling clubs, local authorities and others invited to apply for funding.

The IFI website has more information on the funding process and recipient projects, which are listed below.

Carlow

• River Barrow, shore side, Woodford Dolmen Hotel Grounds, Killkenny Road, Carlow - Jetty situated on the bank of the River Barrow - Woodford Dolmen Hotel (€5,802)

Cavan

• Brackley Lake - Footway to improve access to angling along Prospect Shore at Brackley Lake - Cavan County Council (€31,444)
• Killnahard, Ballyheelan, Killnaleck - Improve boat slip and car park for angling access at Killnahard Bay - Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association (€24,850)
• Templeport Lake, Kildoagh, Templeport, Bawnboy - Templeport Lake Fishing Stand - Templeport Development Association (€2,000)

Clare

• Fanore, North Clare - Angling equipment for Juvenile Training and Coaching Programme - Lisdoonvarna Fanore Sea Angling Club (€6,875)
• Derg Isle Adventure Centre, Carrowmore - Angling equipment to develop youth angling – Ducey’s Personal Development Academy (€2,000)

Cork

• River Blackwater (Munster), Mallow - Restoration and Enhancement of Angling Facilities catering for Game & Coarse Anglers in Mallow Town on River Blackwater (Munster) - Mallow Development Partnership (€89,157)
• Deasy’s Stream, River Bandon, Bandon - Deasy's Stream Rehabilitation Project - Bandon Angling Association (€8,399)

Donegal

• Buncrana - Feasibility study for habitat enhancement and angling access on the Crana River - Buncrana Anglers Association (€2,000)
• Tully, Dungloe - Tully Boatshed, for angling boat repair and storage - Rosses Anglers Association (€21,492)
• Gweebarra, Coolvoy, Doochary - Salmon fishing enhancement project - Gweebarra Fishing Club (€4,000)
• Dunfanaghy, Sessiagh and Purt Lakes - Replacement lake boats to improve angling access - Dunfanaghy Angling Association (€6,575)
• Lough Keel, Skerry, Kilmacrennan - Angling boats to improve access to angling - The Letterkenny & District Anglers Association (€5,684)
• Loughanure, Anangry - Wheelchair/Less-Abled lake access - Loughanure Anglers (€11,269)
• Bunagee Pier, Culdaff - Junior Sea Angling Taster Sessions - Culdaff Sea Angling Club (€4,275)
• Owencarrow River, Glen Lough and Lough Natooey, Creeslough - Development Plan 2014-18 for Angling, Tourism and Conservation on the Creeslough Fisheries - Creeslough & District Angling Association (€223,750)
• Ray River, Carrowcanon, Falcaragh - Ray River habitat rehabilitation project - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€27,000)
• Marketing & Promotion of Game & Sea Angling in Donegal by the Donegal Angling Tourism Alliance (DATA) - Creeslough & District Angling Association (€24,638)
• Crolly River, Gweedore - Crolly River Habitat Restoration and Improvement - Crolly Angling Association (€5,760)

Dublin

• Royal Canal & Grand Canal - Expansion of summer youth angling programme - Finglas Youth Resource Centre (€5,988)
• Straffan to Celbridge Fishery, Co Kildare - Feasibility report on the Straffan to Celbridge Fishery - Dublin Trout Anglers’ Association (€2,000)
• Marketing and promotional events to grow angling club membership - Dublin Trout Anglers Association (€1,300)

Galway

• Calla, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe - Disabillity carpark and access point and new permanent fishing stand - Kilconnell Community Development Association Ltd (€6,810)
• Owenglin River, Couravoughill, Clifden - Improvement of Owenglin river access walkway - Clifden Trout Anglers Association (€19,530)
• Tuam - Angling equipment to develop youth angling - Outdoor Ranger Ltd (€2,000)
• Leenane public carpark - Fisheries species, habitat and angling information signage - Leenane Development Association (€122)
• Bundorragha River, Bundorragha, Whin Pool, Leenane; Finlough Weed Control, Delphi, Leenane - Angling Access Delphi Fishery - Delphi Fishery Ltd (€1,614)
• Clare River south bank from Claregalway village in the townland of Lakeview to the most easterly point of the townland of Lydacan - Clare River angler access from Claregalway to Gortatleva (Phase 1) - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€7,888)
• Dawros River, Kylemore, Letterfrack, Connemara - Kylemore Abbey Angling Access Programme - Kylemore Abbey & Gardens Ltd (€19,881)
• Annaghdown; Ballindiff; Commercial boat club, Galway City; Collinamuuck; Cornamona; Cong, Co Mayo; Oughterard; Moycullen; Headford; Kilbeg; Cross, Co Mayo - Fisheries enhancement and angling access project - Lough Corrib Angling Trout Federation (€3,517)
• Abbert River, Monivea - Tiquin Area - Abbert River Spawning & Habitat Regeneration - Cairde Na Chlair (€56,685)
• Baurisheen, Oughterard - Purchase of boats to improve angler access - Kevin Molloy Boat Hire (€4,375)
• Kilroe (Cahermorris) River, Kilroe, Annaghdown - Fencing & in-stream development - Annaghdown Angling Club (€3,026)
• Bunownen River, Glencroff area and Leenane - West of Leenane Invasive Species Survey and Management Plan - Forum Connemara CLG (€1,837)
• Carrick Shore, Clonbur - Angling boats to improve angler access - Hugh O'Donnell (€4,000)
• River Bunowen - Rock ramp on River Bunowen, Ahascragh - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€120,000)
• Lough Corrib, Glann, Oughterard - Angling boats to improve angler access - Lough Corrib Boats (€7,500)
• Glencorbet, Kylemore - Kylemore Riverbank and spawning bed restoration project - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€10,238)
• Bealanabrack River, Kilmilken, Maam - Riparian management, Bealanabrack - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€4,400)

Kerry

• Big River, Tralee - Big River Habitat Improvement Scheme - Kerry County Council (€12,335)
• River Feale, Triereragh, Duagh, Listowel - Access road, car park and disabled angling stands and box type bridge and guard rails - Daniel O Donoghue (€22,000)
• River Feale, Triereragh, Duagh - Feasibility study, environmental impact study and document preparation into the improving access to angling for disabled persons - Daniel O Donoghue (€4,373)
• Dungeel, Gortnascarry, Ballymalis and Beaufort - Walkways Stiles and Bridges Roadways and Carpark Improvements - Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers' Association (€2,033)
• Various beaches and public bridges and piers - Youth angling development project - Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (€7,470)
• River Laune, Killorglin - Angling equipment for pilot youth angling development programme - Caragh Bridge Angling Club (€1,012)

Kildare

• Kellyville Lake, Ballintubbert, Co Laois - Feasibility Study on water levels in Kellyville Lake in Laois by Kildare-based club - Athy & District Anglers Club (€6,300)

Leitrim

• Angling Marketing Guide: Discover Angling in Leitrim - Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG (€1,197)

Limerick

• River Loobagh, Kilmallick - Invasive species identification and Management Program in the Ballyhoura Catchment area - Ballyhoura Development CLG (€667)

Longford

• Lough Leebeen, Rathmore, Aughnacliffe - Provision of a public toilet for the use of anglers in Leebeen Park, Aughnacliffe - Leebeen Park Development Ltd (€9,072)
• Lanesborough - Equipment for youth angling initiative - St. Mel's College Angling Club (€800)
• Lakes in and surrounding areas of Longford - Small easy to manage boat for less able persons to access angling - Melview Lodge (€3,143)

Louth

River Dee, Cappogue, on Drumcar Weir - Dee Fish Counter Project 2017 - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€31,467)

River Boyne, Boyne Valley - Boyne Valley Fishing Guides website enhancement - Boyne Valley Fishing Guides (€1,950)

Mayo

• Altnabrocky River, Bellacorrick - Protection of further spawning areas & bank reinforcement - R Hewat (GlenAlt Syndicate) (€15,000)
• River Erriff, townland of Glennacally - Erriff bank protection/ Western Way walk 2017 - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€23,383)
• River Moy at Tawnaghbeg, Straide, Foxford and four other locations - Tourist and Angler Information Maps - East Mayo Anglers Association (€5,763)
• Lough Corrib, Cong - Replacement of timber walkway and redevelopment of The Roach Pond, Cong - Cong and District Anglers Association (€7,380)
• River Moy, Laghtmacdurkan & Ardhoom Tds, Meelick, Swinford - Erecting/Replacement of stiles and footbridges along club waters of the River Moy - East Mayo Anglers Association (€4,059.08)
• Erriff River, Letterass, Kilbride - Development of angling access and walk way facilities at Aasleigh Falls - Mayo County Council (€12,500)
• Cuilbaun, Tawnaghbeg, Straide, Foxford - Disabled Anglers Facility - East Mayo Anglers Association (€154,087)
• Newport Quay and Clew Bay - Equipment for training novice sea anglers - Newport Sea Angling Club (€1,103)
• Cushlough, Ballinrobe - Car park resurfacing and parking alignment & security fencing - Ballinrobe and District Anglers Association (€21,263)
• Carrowniskey River, Carrowniskey, Louisburgh - Riverbank regeneration, Carrowniskey - Anthony Jordan (€529)
• Louisburgh - Carrownisky River Rehabilitation Project - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€9,080)
• Owenmore River, Drummin East - Owenmore (Drummin East) Bank Rehabilitation Project - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€6,150)
• Fish Counter replacement - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€31,467)
• Glenummera, Teevnabinnia - Bank reinstatement and rehabilitation of the Glenummera River, which is one of the main spawning tributaries of Delphi Fishery for wild salmon and sea trout - Delphi Fishery Ltd (€15,000)

Meath

• Kells Blackwater, from Lough Ramor, Co Cavan to Headford Bridge, Kells - Tourist/Visitor mapping and pamphlet design and production - Kells Anglers Association (€1,580)
• River Boyne, Ballybatter, Balreask New and Balreask Old, Navan - Fisheries enhancement project - Navan Anglers (€7,740)
• Trimblestown and Boycestown - Installation of fencing, drinkers, deflectors, top up gravel shoals, bank protection works etc - Trim Athboy Angling Association (€15,000)
• River Deel, Grange Beg, Killucan, Westmeath - Deel habitat enhancement - Boyne Catchment Angling Association (€15,000)
• Kells Blackwater, Carnaros - Hartion's Bridge - Instream habitat enhancement works - Kells Anglers Association (€15,000)
• River Boyne, Athlumney, Navan - Spawning gravel - Navan Anglers (€4,920)

Monaghan

• Lough Muckno (Fane Catchment) Concra, Castleblayney - Develop Angling Access at South Lodge, Lough Muckno - Monaghan Co Council (€111,369)
• Anny Shore, Lough White, Anny - Resurfacing of existing access road and carpark - Monaghan Co Council (€20,549)
• Lisgillan, White Lake, Cremorne, Co Monaghan - Improvement of access road and carpark - Monaghan Co Council (€29,206)
• South Shore, Lough Major, Ballybay - Improve access to the fishing stands - Monaghan Co Council (€1,706)
• Knappagh Water, Lacken, Cortubber - Upgrading and providing new fishing infrastructure - Bawn Area Community Group Limited (€15,270)

Offaly

• Tullamore River, Tullamore - Feasibility study of the Tullamore River - Offaly County Council (€2,000)

Roscommon

• Grange Lake, Strokestown - Angling equipment to develop tourism & access to Strokestown lakes - Grange Lodge (€4,467)
• Shannon River, Lackan Td, Kilteevan - Portrunny Slipway, Lough Ree - Roscommon County Council (€50,000)
• Frances River (Suck catchment), Castlerea - Fisheries enhancement on the Frances River, Castlrea - Castlerea Town Trust (€24,601)
• Bealnamullia, Cuilleen & Ardgawna townlands, Monksland, Athlone - Cross River Walkway - Roscommon County Council (€50,000)
• River Shannon - Quayside wall, Ballyleague & various locations at Lough Ree - Feasibility study for a new angling centre, boat and tourism facility - Lough Ree Angling Hub (€935)
• Cavetown Croghan, Boyle - Cavetown Angling Renewal/Development: Reinstate fishing stands, erection of foot stileriparian zone improvement, fish passage improvement, spawning enhancement and provision of in stream structures - Cavetown Residents Developments Company (€98,144)
• Portrunny, Fearragh, Ballymurray - Portrunny Aquatic Biodiversity Sign - Portrun Development Association CLG (€1,728)

Sligo

• Bellanascarrow Lake, Lavally, Ballymote - Upgrade of access for mobility impaired anglers and enhancement to existing angling facilities - Ballymote & District Angling Club (€17,374)
• Western end Lough Gill at Aughamore Far - Replacement jetty structure Aghamore Far, Lough Gill - Sligo Anglers Association (€15,456)
• The falls and ladders Ballisodare fishery, Ballisodare - Part funding of fisheries angling access development project - ballisodare fishing club ltd (€20,000)
• River Easkey, Dromore West - Habitat enhancement and angler access improvement - River Easkey Angling Club (€13,500)
• Duff River, Bunduff - Duff River Angling Access Path - Sligo County Council (€40,312)
• Lough Gill, Hazelwood Demesne Td, Calry - Restoration of breakwater, silt removal of semi enclosed area and boat slip clearance. - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€6,089)
• Garavogue River, Cleveragh Demesne - Assessment of the potential environmental impact for the installation of four accessible angling stands on Garavogue River - Sligo County Council (€2,000)

Tipperary

• River Anner - River enhancement and restoration programme on River Anner - Clonmel Tourism CE (€32,000)
• Glengoole, Thurles - Lough Doire Bhile, Tree planting to improve shelter for anglers in open area - Sliabh Ardagh Rural Development CLG (€6,797)

Tyrone

• Blackwater (main channel) from Ballagh Bridge to Favour Royal - Feasibility study to develop access to southern bank of Northern Blackwater - River Blackwater Catchment Trust (€5,000)

Waterford

• Knockaderry Reservoir, Kilmeaden - Replacement of angling boats - Waterford City and County Trout Anglers Association (€9,850)
• River Blackwater, Salterbridge, Cappoquin - Repair and improve access to stream deflector - Cappoquin Salmon and Trout Anglers Association (€27,236)

Westmeath

• Tudenham Stream, Rochfort Demense, Mullingar - Tudenham Stream enhancement - Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association (€10,509)
• Kilpatrick, Hopestown, Mullingar - Kilpatrick Stream enhancement - Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association (€13,939)
• Mid Shannon and nearby lakes and waterways - Angling marketing material for Athlone.ie - Westmeath County Council (€2,000)
• Tullaghan, Lough Owel, Mullingar - Jeep & trailer parking to increase angling access at Tullaghan, Lough Owel, Mullingar - Westmeath County Council (€24,372)
• Lough Derravagh, Dunore Shore, Multyfarnham - Boat slip improvement and jetty - Lough Derravargh Angling Club (€39,800)

Wicklow

• River Vartry, Ashford - River Vartry rehabilitation: Tree pruning and invasive species removal - River Vartry Protection Society (€13,025)
• Arklow Harbour - Sea angling access ladders upgrade in Arklow Harbour - Wicklow County Council (€10,267)
• Angling equipment to assist local community groups in providing their students and clients with access to supervised angling activities - Fishing Futures c/o Wicklow Travellers Group (€1,630)
• Wicklow Harbour - Sea angling access ladders upgrade in Wicklow Harbour - Wicklow County Council (€10,267)
• Bray Harbour - Sea angling access ladders upgrade in Bray Harbour - Wicklow County Council (€10,267)

Nationwide

• Possible filming locations are as follows: Spring time roach fishing - River Shannon, Portumna; Bream fishing in Ireland - Timplehouse lake, Ballymote, Co Sligo; Hybrids fishing on the feeder - Garadice lake, Co. Leitrim; Pole fishing in Ireland - River Inny or River Shannon; Canal Fishing in Ireland, Grand Canal - Promotional Angling Videos - Cathal Hughes Angling (€1,875)
• Dublin Angling Initiative (covering Louth, Dublin, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare) - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€70,062)
• Dublin Angling Initiative angling equipment - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€8,057)
• Atlas of Big Fish in Ireland - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€35,603)
• Youth Angling Development - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€80,259)
• Pop up pond - bring angling to the people - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€1,100)
• Angling simulator for introduction to youth angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€2,000)

#MarineScience - Marine Minister Michael Creed has announced the awarding of €3.3 million grant funding through the Marine Institute to research projects in specialist marine equipment and ocean law.

Some 19 funding grants in total have been made in the area of specialist marine equipment and small infrastructure, totalling more than €2.5 million.

The Higher Education Institutes (HEI) sector will receive 14 of these grants with five being granted to industry-led proposals (SMEs). The funding grants range from €20,000 to €200,000, with industry being funded at 75 per cent — meaning that these will also leverage private investment in specialist marine equipment for research and innovation development.

The ocean law and marine governance grant is being made to a partnership project between the MaREI Centre and University College of Cork School of Law. The funding amounts to €800,000 and will run over four years, employing three researchers with contributions from 12 MaREI and five UCC School of Law staff.

More than 20 researchers attended the announcement of the grants yesterday (Wednesday 22 November) in Dublin city centre.

“I’m delighted to announce these funding grants which herald the next step forward for many new projects in our marine sector,” said Minister Creed. “The funding for marine research equipment helps to target a gap in funding that exists between supports available to Higher Education Institutes via HEA and support from Ireland’s development agencies such as SFI and Enterprise Ireland.

“These grants will allow the marine research and innovation community to purchase specialist equipment needed to support their current and future research activities.”

Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute, said the funding grants would enable pioneering marine research projects to develop in decades to come.

“The ocean law and marine governance grant marks a very important step in investing further in the area of marine law and governance,” he said.

“During the development of the National Marine Research and Innovation Strategy, it was indicated that this important research area should be supported and the Marine Institute, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Foreign Affairs were consulted and a call was launched for a project-based funding grant.

“We are delighted that the MaREI Centre and UCC School of Law will be collaborating on this project which is called Navigate and will be led and co-ordinated by Dr Anne Marie O’Hagan, a senior post-doctoral research fellow in the Marine and Coastal Governance Group in the MaREI Centre.”