Written answers

Tuesday, 11 June 2019

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Harbours and Piers Funding

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

723. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to an application by Waterford City and County Council for funding under the harbour and coastal infrastructural programme to undertake work at Helvic Harbour; the reason the application has been unsuccessful to date; if his attention has been drawn to the economic importance of the harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23313/19]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. Between 2011 - 2018, €2.6 million in funding has been granted under the programme to Waterford County Council.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have approved funding of €2.2m for the Local Authority element of my Departments 2019 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Waterford County Council has secured €225,000 of funding for two projects under this year’s programme.

One of the approved projects is for repairs to be carried out on Helvick Pier. This project has received the maximum available funding for an individual project under the programme, this being €112,500. The priority attached to project applications by the relevant Local Authority was taken into consideration when the final suite of approved projects was prepared by my Department.

Should any application be submitted by Waterford County Council in relation to Helvick Harbour under any future programme, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached by the Council and available funds.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.