Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on funding or grant assistance being awarded for the provision of marinas on rivers or canals within the control of Waterways Ireland to develop such facilities as tourist attractions and to develop boat ownership here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41620/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Waterways Ireland has responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigational waterways primarily for recreational purposes. In line with its remit, Waterways Ireland has, since its establishment, developed both waterway and waterside facilities, increased mooring capacity, enhanced existing facilities and opened new waterway destinations. Waterways Ireland carries out a capital development programme to provide moorings and harbours for public use and other services along the waterways to open up the navigations and facilitate access to the waterways.

The provision of funding for Waterways Ireland is considered in the context of the business plan and corporate plan priorities approved periodically by the North/South Ministerial Council, having regard to the financial resources available to the two sponsor Departments concerned - my own Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland. The precise scale of works to be carried out in 2010 to improve services and facilities and the associated funding to be made available will be set out in Waterway's Ireland's Business Plan for 2010, which is currently being prepared, and which will be submitted for approval to the North/South Ministerial Council in due course. It should be noted that Waterways Ireland is not a grant-aiding organisation and, as such, cannot financially assist the development of private marinas.