Wexford Projects to Benefit from New Barrier Mitigation Funding for Fish Passage

Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, James Browne TD, has announced the opening of a new funding round for the National Barrier Mitigation Scheme (NBMP), designed to address man-made barriers obstructing fish passage in Wexford's rivers and streams. This new funding initiative follows a successful rollout earlier this year where €13.6 million was distributed across 103 projects nationwide. The programme aims to remove or mitigate physical barriers such as dams, weirs, culverts and sluices that hinder the movement of migratory fish like salmon and sea trout. In the first round of funding, seven Wexford projects were supported, including Ballycarney Bridge, Old Ballyanne Bridge, Rathvilly Weir and Bunclody Weir among others. These initiatives were part of an effort to restore river connectivity, improve water quality, and enhance fish migration across the county. Minister Browne expressed his pride in Wexford’s strong representation in the initial funding allocation and encouraged further applications in this new round. "We want the natural movement of fish in our rivers and waterways, and this programme plays a key role in improving our aquatic environments," he said. The scheme supports projects at all stages, from planning and design to full construction and habitat restoration and is open to local authorities, agencies, and even angling groups. Organisations interested in applying for funding must submit their applications through the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) portal by March 4th, 2026. For full details on the application process and funding eligibility, visit IFI’s website. This is an excellent opportunity for Wexford to continue its vital work in improving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable fish populations in its waterways.