Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
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34. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to establishing a dredging programme for Howth fishery harbour in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41315/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. While first and foremost a working fishery harbour, Howth similar to the other five Fishery Harbour Centres, has its own unique features which is home to a broad range of diverse economic and social activities.

My Department is conscious of the importance of both fishing and non fishing activities in Howth and endeavours to facilitate and develop both. This involves day to day operational support by Harbour staff and management and development and repair of infrastructure subject to available financial resources.

I am happy to advise the Deputy that, notwithstanding the prevailing economic environment in which we operate, in excess of €4.2 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Howth FHC as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme from 2011 to 2014.

For 2015, I approved funding of €1.79 million for the maintenance and development of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre. Major works for 2015 include the continued upgrading of the electrical system, provision of a small craft pontoon and traffic management works.

In addition I approved €150,000 for site investigation works at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, the report on this site investigation will include vital information on the nature of the material to be dredged in any future dredging project. This information is necessary for the preparation of a Dumping at Sea licence application which will be required before any dredging project can commence.

As with all other developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, a dredging project at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre will be considered under future Capital Programmes on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing priorities.