Written answers

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Harbours and Piers Development

Photo of John HalliganJohn Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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168. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the consultation process and the provision of €150,000 for consultants to design the new breakwater for Dunmore East, County Waterford under the 2015 capital programme; if plans have been drawn up; when the new breakwater will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2890/16]

Photo of John HalliganJohn Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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169. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will bring Dunmore East Harbour up to the standard of the other main fishery harbour centres, given that it is under his control and Waterford City and County Council has informed this Deputy that it has no remit over related issues such as refurbishment of derelict fish buildings and provision of parking facilities; the progress made on his commitment to facilitate the provision of pontoons inside the breakwater and the provision of a marina close to the sailing club; if he will deliver on all of the promises made to the residents and business operators of Dunmore East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2891/16]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.

Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.

I am happy to advise the Deputy that, notwithstanding the prevailing economic environment in which we operate, in excess of €9.8 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Dunmore East FHC as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme from 2011 to 2015. The Deputy will be aware that the flagship project under the 2015 Fishery Harbour Capital Development Programme run by my Department was the €6.3m dredging project at Dunmore East.

On the 11 January this year I announced funding of €1.16 million for the ongoing maintenance and development of Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre during 2016. Significant works in this year’s capital programme include the West wharf upgrade, Harbour Office Upgrade and Harbour Road re-surfacing.

Also included in this year’s programme is a €160,000 project to design a breakwater in Dunmore East. It is envisaged that a new breakwater would protect the existing harbour, and provide a safer haven for fishing and leisure vessels alike. During the coming months, it is envisaged that consultants will be working on various design options and breakwater layouts. When a few designs are developed substantially, the proposal would be to undertake a consultation process with local interests and statutory bodies to finalize a potential suitable layout.

As the Deputy is aware, all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, including a possible breakwater project, or the provision of pontoons and a marina inside of a completed breakwater at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre will be considered under future Capital Programmes on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing priorities.

The question of parking facilities at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre will be considered in light of a report, due shortly, into overall traffic management measures in the harbour which was commissioned in 2015.

The upkeep and maintenance of leased properties within the Harbour are the responsibility of the tenant. There can be properties within the Fishery Harbour Centres which may appear vacant, however, some such properties can technically/legally be occupied and therefore are not in a position to be considered for tender. Progress is being made to regularise all these property arrangements.

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