Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has for the future development of Dunmore East Harbour; the State investment in the harbour since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21828/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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In November 2000 KPMG Consulting undertook a comprehensive technical and socio-economic review of the infrastructure requirements at Dunmore East in association with Posford Duvivier on behalf of the Department. The review concluded that there was a significant need for development at the harbour. The main shortcomings identified in the review were the limited draft at the mouth of the harbour, the limited extent of the outer breakwater, the limited berthage and situation difficulties.

In 2003 Kirk McClure and Morton were appointed by the Department to carry out the preliminary design and an environmental impact assessment for a harbour development project at Dunmore East. They noted that the existing harbour at Dunmore East is currently too small to cater for the number and size of fishing vessels using it. This leads to congestion problems at busy periods when larger vessels can be berthed up to four abreast along the East Pier. During the summer months smaller vessels can be berthed up to nine abreast along the pontoons at the southern end of the West Wharf. In addition, there is increased demand for sheltered mooring facilities for leisure craft in Dunmore East. The present harbour set-up doesn't permit development of this type and therefore is restricting development of the port and its facilities.

Following a lengthy public consultation process in 2004 on development options for the harbour, a planning application for a harbour development together with an environmental impact statement were prepared and submitted to Waterford County Council. Planning permission for the development of the Fishery Harbour Centre was received in late 2005.

The cost of providing the new harbour facility is estimated at €50 million. In 2006, €300,000 is provided for further design and €300,000 for site investigation to progress the development. A cost benefit analysis will also be carried out this year. A decision on funding of this project will be made in due course in accordance with the guidelines for Appraisal and Management of Capital Expenditure Proposals in the Public Sector taking into account the amount of funding made available for fishery harbours and overall national priorities.

Details of funding provided to Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre since 1997 are as follows: