Catchment News

Barrier Mitigation Fund – Scheme 2 Now Open

Inland Fisheries Ireland has announced that Scheme 2 of the Barrier Mitigation Fund is now open for applications. This fund is a key part of the National Barrier Mitigation Programme, supporting projects that improve river connectivity by removing or reducing man-made barriers that restrict fish movement and disrupt natural river processes.

How to apply

Guidance documents and technical criteria are available at: Barrier Mitigation | Inland Fisheries Ireland

Applications must be submitted via the IFI online portal: Inland Fisheries Ireland. Here you can register and progress your barrier mitigation project.

For queries or assistance:
Email: barriers@fisheriesireland.ie
Phone: 01 884 2680

Logo of Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Barrier Mitigation Programme. The left side shows the Inland Fisheries Ireland emblem with stylized fish and text in Irish and English. The right side features an illustration of three fish swimming upstream through stylized arches representing barriers, with flowing blue water lines beneath.

Learn more

Further information on the National Barrier Mitigation Programme: National Barrier Mitigation Programme Update – Catchments.ie – Catchments.ie

Who is involved?

Quite simply, everyone in Ireland has a role to play. This can be from something as simple as making sure you don’t pollute your local stream, or a local community working together to establish a Rivers Trust to enhance the rivers and lakes in their area, to a Government Department or Agency helping a Minister implement a new policy to help protect and enhance all our water bodies.

This website has been developed and is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Local Authority Waters Programme.

LAWCO

Local Authority Waters Programme

The Local Authority Waters Programme coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan, and supports local community and stakeholder involvement in managing our natural waters, for everyone’s benefit.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA is responsible for coordinating the monitoring, assessment and reporting on the status of our 4,842 water bodies, looking at trends and changes, determining which waterbodies are at risk and what could be causing this, and drafting environmental objectives for each.

DECLG

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Department is responsible for making sure that the right policies, regulations and resources are in place to implement the Water Framework Directive, and developing a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures to protect and restore our waters.