Written answers

Wednesday, 6 February 2019

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fishery Harbour Centres

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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47. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his priorities for investment under the fisheries harbours infrastructure programme for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5718/19]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael 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.

I am happy to advise the Deputy that between the years 2010 to 2018, as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, in excess of €96m has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at the six fishery harbour centres. Over the same period, almost €28m has also been made available to assist coastal Local Authorities in the maintenance, repair and development of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership

On the 27th of January 2019 I announced a €35.7m capital investment package in our six Fishery Harbour Centres and other fisheries related marine infrastructure. This represents an increase of €9.4m on the final expenditure on this programme in 2018.

The continuation of the Dinish quay extension, Castletownbere FHC (€17.5m in 2019), the commencement of the Smooth Point extension phase 2, Killybegs FHC (€4m in 2019), and the Middle Pier berthing face project, Howth FHC (€4.5m in 2019) are the flagship projects for 2019. All three harbours are seeing increasing levels of activity in various sectors including increasing levels of fishing, commercial cargo, leisure and tourism and cruise liner (Killybegs only) activity and the need for additional berthage has been recognised. These projects will deliver 220 metres of much needed additional berthing space in Castletownbere, with 120 metres additional berthing space also being provided in both Howth and Killybegs respectively.

Other projects of note are the breakwater extension at Ros An Mhíl FHC, the remedial & improvement works to the West Wharf (phase 4) at Dunmore East FHC and the water metering project in Dingle FHC. I have allocated €2.48m this year for safety, maintenance and disability access works at the six Fishery Harbour Centres and at North Harbour, Cape Clear.

I am pleased to say that I have also allocated €2m for the purposes of a 2019 Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure programme to assist coastal Local Authorities in the repair and development of piers, harbours and slipways under their ownership. My Department has recently sought expressions of interest from Local Authorities for potential projects in 2019.

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