Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has launched a new funding scheme to help remove or mitigate man-made barriers to fish passage.

The agency’s Barrier Mitigation Fund will provide grants to support projects that remove barriers in Ireland’s waterways.The scheme, which is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, aims to support the removal of 257 barriers over the next three years.

It will operate within an overall budget of up to €100 million, to be allocated to barrier mitigation to the end of 2027.

Some of the barriers preventing the passage of migratory fish, such as salmon, includes weirs or sluices, poorly installed bridges that disrupt water flow and the structure of fish habitats, or fords, crossings, and dams.

Head of the barrier mitigation division at the IFI, Hazel King said: "The launch of IFI’s Barrier Mitigation Fund marks a critical step forward in restoring the health and connectivity of our rivers.

“IFI’s new initiative provides the necessary supports to identify and prioritise barrier mitigation projects, enabling their removal or lessening their impacts on rivers," King added.

According to the IFI, the projects will enable rivers and fish to flow more freely, and support biodiversity and natural river processes.

Funding can be sought at all stages of projects, beginning with early planning and design, to full construction and handover.

Applicants can also access support from the IFI, such as engineering and planning advice if needed.

For example, a property owner wanting to remove a barrier can receive IFI’s support in the planning and construction delivery processes.

Each application for funding will be assessed on its merits, and alignment with the scheme objectives. The level of funding will depend on the project size, stage and anticipated duration.

Expressions of Interest can be made until midnight on Monday, June 2, 2025.