Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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883. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount invested in a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he is in receipt of current funding applications for the project from Mayo County Council; and his plans for the future of the project. [3715/21]

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

Responsibility for the maintenance and development of Local Authority-owned harbours and piers rests with each individual Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter. In the case of Purteen Harbour, Mayo County Council is the responsible Local Authority.

As part of the 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 2010 and 2020, over €31m has been made available to assist coastal Local Authorities under this programme. Mayo County Council secured funding of €5.3m during this period, with €109k of this being allocated to repair and development works at Purteen Harbour.

While an application for funding in relation to works at Purteen Harbour was received by my Department under the 2020 Local Authority programme, this application was subsequently withdrawn by Mayo County Council.

No final decisions have been made in relation to the composition of the 2021 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. However, should any application be submitted by Mayo County Council in relation to works at Purteen Harbour under any future programme, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached to it by the Council and available exchequer funding.