Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will bring forward measures to encourage the development of marinas at fishery and other harbours here; if the present measures in place at his Department to process marina applications are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13637/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The marine tourism grant scheme, which was a sub-measure of the tourism measure under the national development plan aimed specifically at supporting marine access infrastructure for tourism purposes, was suspended in December 2002 due to budgetary constraints. This scheme remains suspended and is now unlikely to be reactivated. There is no other funding available in this department for marine leisure projects.

The funding available to the Department under the port infrastructure improvement programme of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 is directed at projects that improve infrastructure and facilities at key strategic fishery harbours and the construction and improvement of berthage and related facilities at smaller harbours and landing places, with a key role in maintaining jobs in fishing, aquaculture and ancillary activities. The funding of marina projects at fishery harbour centres does not come within the scope of that programme.

Responsibility for small regional harbours operated under the Harbours Act 1946 has been transferred to the Department of Transport with effect from January 2006. Those remaining regional ports and harbours which do not form part of the national maritime transport system for trade and travel are being transferred to alternative uses under local control by that Department, as provided for in the Harbours Act 1996. Funding for marinas in such harbours is a matter for the Department of Transport, or where ownership has been transferred, the relevant local authority.

Within the five fishery harbour centres, Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Rossaveel and Killybegs, directly owned and operated by this Department there is an existing marina with approximately 260 berths at Howth. Discussions are ongoing with a private developer regarding making available a site for a marina development at Killybegs with up to 100 berths. A major infrastructure development project is under way at Dunmore East and consideration is being given to a planning application by the Department to include provision for a 50-berth marina development in that overall development project. There are no plans for development of marinas at either Castletownbere or Rossaveel at present. This position will be reviewed following the completion of current development works under way at those fishery harbour centres. I have no plans at present to bring forward any additional measures to encourage the development of marinas at fishery harbour centres.