Written answers

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fishery Harbour Centres

Photo of Alan FarrellAlan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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669. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is or has previously considered providing funding to local authorities for the installation of seabins following successful introductions in Howth Harbour; and the details of such an analysis. [7800/20]

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 Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board.

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

My Department has facilitated the installation of sea bins at both Dingle and Howth Fishery Harbour Centres in recent years. Harbour management see the appropriate deployment of these devices as complementary to other on going operations to remove unwanted debris from the waters within the harbours.

As indicated, my legislative remit does not extend to Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways, and given that the ownership of, and overall responsibility for these piers, harbours and slipways rests with the Local Authority, it is for the Local Authority to decide if it wishes to carry out any developments, repair or maintenance.

My Department does however provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways within their ownership under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

Under the 2020 Local Authority programme, I have approved funding of €3.1m to assist 10 coastal Local Authorities undertake and complete 58 development and repair projects on harbours and slipways owned by them. The package provides funding for maintenance and repair works in addition to supporting the ongoing development and enhancement of harbour facilities, including some marine leisure developments.

It is a matter for the relevant Local Authorities as to whether the installation of a sea bin would be of benefit and if it could operate effectively at harbours within their ownership. Should any application for funding be submitted by a Local Authority under any future programme in relation to the installation of a sea bin, 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.

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