Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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114. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the funding levels in Budget 2023 for public marine infrastructure. [53211/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that last January I announced the roll-out of the €35m Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023. The BALAMI Scheme was one of the recommendations of the Seafood Sector Taskforce which I established following Brexit. This scheme is proposed to be funded in the main from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

The Scheme assists the development of the marine economy in coastal communities by aiming to give immediate construction stimulus to those coastal communities affected by Brexit. It aims to develop projects of up to €1m budget during 2022 and 2023. The Scheme also offers the possibility of funding larger projects where there is particular exposure to Brexit due to proximity to UK waters and loss of fishing opportunities. Each of the projects will be delivered by the Local Authority which owns and maintains the relevant marine infrastructure.

In April this year, after the first call of the Scheme, I approved €31.7m in funding for 110 projects around the Irish coast. This was the largest ever funding announcement of its kind for Local Authority owned marine infrastructure.

The closing date for applications in the second call of the Scheme was September 30^thand my Department is currently evaluating over 90 applications which have been submitted by 13 Local Authorities. In view of the large volume of applications which has come in, I have asked my Department to examine the scope to increase the BAR funding available for the scheme.In the meantime, I am sure the Deputy will agree that it is imperative that local authorities get on with delivery of their first call projects to support the seafood sector and the local economies of coastal communities in this difficult period.

Imust stress that responsibility for the development and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each Local Authority in the first instance. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues for local authorities should be addressed to that Minister.