Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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490. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided for a slipway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43203/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.

Coornagillagh pier, Tuosist, Co. Kerry is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for its maintenance, repair and development rests with Kerry County Council in the first instance.

My Department does provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority-owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. I have allocated over €2.2m for these purposes under this year's Programme.  

Records indicate that my Department did not receive a funding application under the 2018 Programme for Coornagillagh Pier. Should an application be submitted by Kerry County Council in relation to this pier under future programmes, it will be given due consideration taking account of the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached by the Council and available funds.