James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the provision of pier and other coastal defence funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26929/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The 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, the 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. This programme is limited to specific works on piers, harbours and slipways owned by Local Authorities. Coastal defences in general fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works.

Funding is made available on an annual basis by the Department to the six Fishery Harbour Centres, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Since 2010, €140 million has been invested in Department-owned infrastructure. Additionally €33.4m has been allocated under the Department’s 2021 Programme for works on the six harbours.

The Department also provides limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.

Since 2010, my Department has provided funding of over €31 million to 15 coastal local authorities for development and maintenance works. Additionally, I have recently announced and allocated €4.2m to the 2021 programme.

The €4.2m package I am making available this year provides funding for a diverse suite of 79 projects geographically spread across 12 Local Authorities which will improve the amenities provided to the wider Marine community in these coastal areas. It will provide a much needed economic boost to rural coastal communities particularly in these trying times and also make them more attractive to tourists in the longer term. During the pandemic, we have become more aware than ever of the importance of our outdoor spaces and local amenities. The continued upgrading and refurbishment of our local piers and harbours will support local fishers, tourism and will have numerous knock-on benefits for local economies.