Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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461. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4267/19]

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.

The responsibility for the development, and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each Local Authority in the first instance and their parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government thereafter.

However, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department has provided limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have approved funding of €2m for the Local Authority element of my Departments 2019 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.

My Department has written to Coastal Local Authorities, inviting them to submit prioritised lists of projects for consideration. Following this, detailed applications will be requested from Local Authorities for short-listing and the finalized suite of projects will be prepared. Should an application be submitted by Kerry County Council in relation to The Glen Pier, Ballinskelligs under this programme, 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.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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462. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when works will commence on capital works at Killybegs Harbour Centre which were delayed in 2018; the budget allocated for these works in 2019; the scale and extent of works involved in the project; the timeline for the completion of the project on Killybegs Harbour Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4270/19]

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.

Between the years 2010 to 2018, as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, in excess of €20 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Killybegs Fishery Centre.

The Harbour has been attracting increasing levels of fishing, commercial cargo and cruise liner activity and the need for additional berthage has been recognised. The Smooth Point project, when complete, will provide a much needed additional 120 metres quay space.

Because some of the material to be dredged was contaminated, the project was divided into two phases. Work on phase 1 of the project, which entailed the dredging and removal of the contaminated material, commenced in 2017 and was completed in 2018, the total cost of this phase including preparation, permitting and design costs stands at €6.5m.

I have just announced the details of a €35.7m Fishery Harbour and Coastal Development Capital Programme for 2019. Killybegs has been allocated in excess of €5m this year of which €4m. is earmarked for phase 2 of the Smooth Point project.

Phase 2 involves the dredging of the remaining uncontaminated material and construction of the 120 metres of berthing space. My Department's engineers are presently finalising tender documents with a view to initiating a public tender exercise. Following completion of the tender process and awarding of contract, works are expected to commence over the summer months with an estimated project duration of twelve months.

The final costs and timeline for phase 2 will only be determined following the competitive tendering process.