Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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655. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which projects that fall within the aegis of his Department and are within the revised National Development Plan are at an advanced stage at present or are in course thereof; the extent to which preliminary work has taken place or on-site works are in hand or proposed; the expected delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49247/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027 allows the Department to map out the development of the agri-food sector as we emerge from the pandemic and continue to deal with the challenges posed by Brexit.

Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 has been extended to 2022 and will provide €1.5bn of support to rural communities in Ireland over its remaining lifetime.

Our CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 will underpin the sustainable development of Ireland’s farming and food sector. I expect that the On-farm Capital Investment Scheme under Ireland’s 2023-2027 CSP will aid farmers looking to invest in capital projects on their farms.

Major development projects in Castletownbere, Howth and Killybegs have commenced and, while all have been delayed somewhat due to COVID-19 restrictions, they are expected to be completed in early 2022. Preparatory work is ongoing for other projects including a major dredging project in Howth which is currently at planning stage.

Overall, a capital investment programme of up to €180 million across all six Fishery Harbour Centres, at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros an Mhíl and Killybegs, encompassing ongoing safety and maintenance and necessary new developments is envisaged for commencement up to 2025.

A publicly funded capital programme for afforestation beyond the lifetime of the current Forestry Programme will be provided for under this NDP which will help achieve the afforestation targets in the Climate Action Plan.

Public capital investments in the agri-food sector will seek to support the sustainable development of the sector in accordance with the ambition in the Food Vision 2030. These objectives will be aided by the EU Common Agricultural and Common Fisheries Policies operating after 2020 which are expected to focus on these sectors in a way that delivers enhanced economic, environmental and social sustainability, with a particular emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation actions.