Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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645. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on refurbishment and maintenance to Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18635/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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 2017 to 2019, as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, in excess of €18.6 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. 2017 saw investment of €5.2m, in 2018, Killybegs received €7.2m and in 2019, €6.2m.

A budget of €11.6m allocated for capital works in Killybegs under the 2020 Programme. The main project of note in this year’s Programme is the continuation of the Smooth Point extension phase 2, which has been allocated €10m. This project will deliver a much needed additional 120 metres quay space to address increasing levels of fishing, commercial cargo and cruise liner activity in the harbour.

To date in 2020, some €2.8m has been expended on works in Killybegs and despite difficulties experienced as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, we remain on target to maximise the overall budget allocated for Killybegs.