Written answers

Tuesday, 21 March 2006

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Harbours and Piers

8:00 pm

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the application submitted by Ballycotton Harbour Development Association for development of the harbour, as moneys are to be provided under the 2006 expenditure programme. [10912/06]

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The harbour at Ballycotton is owned by Cork County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development is a matter for the local authority in the first instance. In 2001 the council submitted a report prepared by consulting engineers on the estimated cost of a plan for development of Ballycotton Harbour. The proposed development was estimated to cost a total of €6 million. Cork County Council applied for funding in 2002 under the marine tourism grant scheme of the national development plan for a development, including a marina, at Ballycotton. However, as the applicants had not obtained the necessary statutory permissions, their application could not be considered further. The applicants were informed of this and that they could apply for funding under a future call.

No funding was available for the marine tourism grant scheme in 2003, 2004 or 2005. The findings of the mid-term review of the regional operational programmes recommended reallocation of funds to other priorities. The allocation for the fishery harbours development programme is €21 million for 2006. The fishery harbours programme involves co-funding by the local authorities. An updated proposal for development in three phases at Ballycotton was submitted by the local authority to the Department in October 2005. The estimated cost of phase 1 is €2.5 million. Cork County Council would be required to contribute 25% funding to the project. There is no Exchequer funding available for Ballycotton phase 1 development in 2006. The question of providing funding in future years will have to be considered in the context of the available funding for fishery harbour works and overall national priorities.

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