Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Barrier Mitigation Programme (NBMP) is working to reconnect Ireland’s rivers by mitigating and removing man-made barriers that impact fish migration, water quality, biodiversity, and hydromorphology. The NBMP aims to increase the habitat available for migratory fish and restore natural sediment processes in rivers that provide important habitats for a range of native species. The NBMP was formed in response to Ireland’s most recent River Basin Management Plan (RBMP), the Water Action Plan 2024, which set out the action Hymo 3: “IFI will establish a restoration programme to mitigate the negative impact of past construction in or near rivers”. In addition to supporting the aims of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), the NBMP aligns with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the new Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) which aim to restore rivers across Europe to a free-flowing state.

Fund 3 Scheme Details

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has launched the Barrier Mitigation Fund Scheme No. 3 under the National Barrier Mitigation Programme, following the successful delivery of the first two funding schemes.

Across Funding Schemes 1 and 2, €28.48 million has been awarded to 194 projects nationwide to address physical barriers in Irish waterways, including dams, culverts and weirs that affect fish passage.

Funding Scheme No. 3 will support projects at various stages of development, from early planning and design through to construction and handover. The scheme aims to support the removal or mitigation of man-made barriers to fish passage, helping to improve river connectivity, restore access to habitats and enhance biodiversity in rivers and streams across Ireland.

The scheme is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and forms part of the National Barrier Mitigation Programme's work to improve fish passage and restore connectivity in Ireland's rivers.

Download and review the below documents to submit your application: