Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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381. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has corresponded with Waterways Ireland on the disposal of the Grand Canal graving docks in the Grand Canal Basin; her long-term strategy for developing boating facilities on the Grand Canal; and if she supports the preservation of such dry dock facilities as part of the historic infrastructure in the Grand Canal Basin. [15353/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Waterways Ireland Action Plan for Grand Canal Dock and Spencer Dock sets out Waterways Ireland's proposals to ensure that both Grand Canal Dock and Spencer Dock are developed to deliver their full potential to both the city of Dublin, and the wider canal network. A Programme Manager, who will take up duty in July 2016, has recently been appointed by Waterways Ireland to progress delivery of the Action Plan. The plan is available on the Waterways Ireland website at . I am advised by Waterways Ireland that development of the area where the dry docks are located in Grand Canal Dock will be in accordance with the North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock SDZ Planning Scheme for the area.

I can assure the Deputy that Waterways Ireland is committed to delivering the maximum potential benefits from recreational use of the canals for both the local community and visitors. Boat users are an important element of this recreational use and Waterways Ireland will spend over 50% of its 2016 annual maintenance budget on management of the Royal and Grand Canals and Barrow navigation.