Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Kerry County Council proposes to construct a new pier at Cromane. The proposed pier will be the property of that local authority who will be responsible for its development, maintenance and repair. Under the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programme my Department has, in previous years, allocated funding to Kerry County Council to progress works at Cromane. This programme operates on an annual basis and provides funding for approved projects up to an agreed amount or 75% of the total cost in the year, whichever is the lower.

Approval for funding in any particular year does not imply any commitment of funding in future years and any funds not drawn down before the end of that calendar year return to the Exchequer. The summary of the funding my Department approved for the project in recent years is as follows: €150,000 in 2004; €200,000 in 2006; €500,000 in 2007; and €750,000 in 2008, a total of €1.6 million. I understand, however, that Kerry County Council has encountered difficulties in acquiring lands required to progress this project and is working to move matters forward.

No application in respect of the Cromane project was submitted by Kerry County Council for consideration for funding under the 2009 programme. Due to the current budgetary situation, funding cannot be provided for local authority owned facilities under the 2010 programme. Funding under the 2010 programme has been allocated to meet contractual commitments and essential safety and maintenance works. It is hoped that in the future, when the Exchequer situation improves, my Department will be in a position to recommence funding projects for the development and repair of local authority owned facilities under the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programme.

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