Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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3404. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts he is making to speed up the decision-making process in relation to aquaculture licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40378/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors, as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.

The licensing process is complex and the average time for processing an aquaculture licence varies depending on a number of factors including location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites and potential visual impact. My Department takes full account of all scientific and technical advice as well as all issues identified during the public and statutory consultation phases. Additional factors that can impact the time taken to process an application can include; the need for an Appropriate Assessment if the application is within a Natura 2000 area; whether the application is required to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Assessment Report; consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period; the need for additional underwater or archaeological assessments, etc.

All decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all scientific, technical, legislative and public interest elements of each application.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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3405. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will broaden the scope of the local authority element of the coastal infrastructure and development fund to include areas such as Cromane, County Kerry in which there is substantial marine industrial activity but little or no existing marine infrastructure to be improved; if feasibility and design funding would be available in such cases to begin the process of providing new infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40379/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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.

As you are aware, 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 the parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter.

However, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, the Department has, in previous years, provided 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.

The Local Authority element of our capital programme co-funds up to 75% of the total cost of approved projects (subject to a maximum overall project cost of €200,000) with the Local Authority providing the balance.

Between the years 2010 to 2020, over €1.9 million in funding has been granted under this programme to Kerry County Council with approximately 25 harbours in the County benefitting, over that period.

Under this year’s programme, funding of €4.2m has been approved to assist coastal Local Authorities undertake and complete 79 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.

Kerry County Council has secured funding of €213.75k under this year’s programme, to undertake three projects in total.

No application for funding was received under this year’s programme in relation to Cromane.

The focus of my Departments scheme remains focused on supporting actual capital works, it is a matter for Kerry County Council to progress any preparatory studies, permitting and design works.

Should any application be made for funding by Kerry County Council under any future programme in relation to actual capital works at Cromane, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached to the project by the Council, available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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3406. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department’s maximum contribution under the local authority element of the coastal infrastructure and development fund will be increased beyond €200,000; if the requirement of 25% match funding from the local authority will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40380/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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.

As you are aware, 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 the parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter.

However, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, the Department has, in previous years, provided 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. Since 2010, over €31 million in funding has been provided by my Department under this scheme.

This scheme does not remove the overall responsibility of the Local Authorities to provide funding to maintain the Marine infrastructure under their ownership.

Under this year’s programme, I have approved funding of €4.2m to assist coastal Local Authorities undertake and complete 79 small scale 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.

The Local Authority element of our capital programme co-funds up to 75% of the total cost of approved projects (subject to a maximum overall project cost of €200,000) with the Local Authority providing the balance. The limit was increased from €150,000 to €200,000 in 2020.

By increasing the maximum allowable funding available to a project this would inevitably reduce the number of projects that could be co-funded, and the broad geographical benefits of this funding.

As the clear focus of the Local Authority scheme is on small scale capital works, there are no plans to increase the Departments contribution levels per project at this time, however I will keep this position under review.