Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when it is envisaged that work will commence on a project (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4256/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The harbour at Greencastle is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance.

The first phase of the development at Greencastle involves the construction of a rock breakwater. Initially this involves the carrying out of mitigation works on a number of local properties (as required by An Bord Pleanála) prior to commencement of the project. The initial phase also involves some enabling works including some infilling on the foreshore to construct a haul road to the breakwater, boundary wall construction, coastal footpath formation and associated works. Once these works have been completed the breakwater itself can be constructed.

This proposal was approved under the Fishery Harbour Development Programme in 2006. Projects approved under the programme are funded on the basis of a 75% grant aid from the Department with a 25% contribution from the Local Authority. Donegal County Council advised the Department they were not in a position to co-fund this project at the normal rate.

Discussions have been ongoing between the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Donegal County Council and myself with a view to progressing the project on an agreed basis. These discussions are almost finalised and I am hopeful the first Phase of this project involving the development of the 290m breakwater will commence shortly.