Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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129. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding has been committed to progress the installation and construction of a sea wall and associated coastal defences at Machaire Rabhartaigh in County Donegal; if so, the amount of funding that has been allocated for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51254/17]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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130. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the installation and construction of a sea wall and associated coastal defences at Machaire Rabhartaigh in County Donegal; the costings associated with these planned works; when construction is expected to commence on this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51255/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together.

A number of years ago, my Department, in co-partnership with the Department of Regional Development, Northern Ireland, Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd in Scotland, participated in the INTERREG funded Small Ferries Project with the view to developing suitable vessels and piers for small islands in the three jurisdictions.  As part of this project, a preliminary design was prepared for improvement works, to include coastal defences, at Machaire Rabhartaigh Pier. 

With a view to re-activating this project, my Department will now work with Donegal County Council and relevant stakeholders to progress it to the planning stage.  Whilst no funding has been allocated to date, amongst the earliest tasks of this phase of the project will be a re-costing of its various elements.  As is the norm with any major capital project funded by my Department, funding will be approved at different stages of the project from the start-up stage to completion, depending on the availability of resources. 

A committee will be formed comprised of Toraigh Island residents, Donegal County Council and my Department to contribute to the development of the project. 

I can assure the Deputy that both my Department and I are fully behind this project and are taking the necessary steps to progress its development, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.