Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1601. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget allocation in 2021 and 2022 for capital works projects under the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme; the percentage of that funding that was actually spent in each of those years; and if any underspend of that funding is automatically transferred over the next year's budget. [14029/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs), 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. Funding is allocated on an annual basis in line with national priorities for Exchequer funds and in line with priorities set by my Department.

In 2021, I allocated €38.279m in funding to the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. This included almost €4.2m in funding for local authority delivered projects. Details of the project allocation are available in tabular form online at gov.ie - Minister McConalogue announces €38.3 million in funding for Capital projects at Ireland’s six Fishery Harbour Centres including an enhanced scheme for 79 Local Authority harbours (www.gov.ie). Of the allocated budget, 70% was expended with impacts on the programme including the COVID-19 restrictions generated delays for projects.

In 2022, I allocated €35.399m in funding for capital investment into the FHCs and a small number of other locations under my Department's remit. Of the allocated budget, 90% was expended. Details of the project allocation are available in tabular form online at: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3030f-minister-mcconalogue-to-invest-35-million-during-2022-in-Irelands-six-fishery-harbour-centres/. A number of the larger capital projects (Dinish Island pier extension in Castletownbere, the Fishing Pier in Howth and Smooth Point Pier extension in Killybegs) are multi-annual projects over the years in question and the allocation for the following year had to reflect the delays which arose due to COVID-19 restrictions and supply chain issues.

In December 2022, I announced the second tranche of the Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022 – 2023, bringing total funding for the Scheme to €55.3 million for 164 projects around the Irish coast. My Department is administering the Scheme. Each local authority is responsible for governance and delivery of its own projects. This funding is only available during the lifetime of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.