Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1240. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the completion works for the breakwater at Greencastle Harbour, County Donegal; and when the works will be completed. [52939/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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. Greencastle Harbour is the responsibility of Donegal County Council.

In May, I announced a funding commitment to restart work to complete the breakwater in Greencastle Harbour, Co. Donegal. The purpose of the overall project is to improve the storm shelter characteristics of the harbour, increase the harbour area and provide new berthage. Overall, the investment will make Greencastle harbour a safer and better place to work and visit, and will open new economic opportunities for the area. The estimated cost of completing the current Breakwater project is €11.9m, this outlay will be on a co-funding basis whereby my Department will provide 75% of the funding to the value of €9m, with Donegal County Council providing the remaining 25%.

The development at Greencastle Harbour, will be managed by Donegal County Council directly. My Department's officials will provide advice to Donegal County Council as and when appropriate. Given Donegal County Council's management brief it may be best if the Deputy raises issues concerning the status of works with Donegal County Council or its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1241. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Donegal County Council has contacted his office or his Department in relation to the need for urgent investment and urgent improvement works at Rathmullan Pier, County Donegal. [52940/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As outlined in my response to the Deputy's recent Parliamentary Question on this matter, Rathmullan Pier is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter.

Regular informal discussions are held between officials of Donegal County Council and officials of the Marine Engineering Division of my Department regarding a number of piers in County Donegal, including Rathmullan.

My Department provides funding, under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, to assist coastal Local Authorities, including Donegal County Council, in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways . No application for funding in relation to Rathmullan Pier was received under this year’s Programme.

Recently, I received the Final Report of the Seafood Sector Task Force which was set up earlier this year to examine the impacts on the fishing sector and coastal communities of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom. The Taskforce has recommended an initiative for the development of publicly owned marine infrastructure and I have asked my Department officials to urgently examine the Report.

Should an application be submitted by Donegal County Council in relation to Rathmullan Pier under any future Programme, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the particular scheme, the priority attached by the Council and available Exchequer funding.