Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

346. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the funding allocated to Galway County Council under the Brexit adjustment local authority marine infrastructure scheme 2022-2023 (details supplied) was drawn down; the status of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37903/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance.

Unprecedented funding was provided through the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023 which was administered by my Department for capital works undertaken by the local authorities. The focus of the scheme was on supporting actual capital works and it was a matter for each local authority to progress any preparatory studies, permitting and design works. Funding for individual projects was allocated in advance of project commencement. My Department reimbursed the local authorities up to 95% of the eligible project costs (pro-rata) on a matured liability basis following inspection of the capital works and verification of the evidenced expenditure. The local authorities provided the balance of funding.

In 2022, Galway County Council was allocated total funding of €1,225,975 for 20 capital projects, all of which were completed, and it was reimbursed €1,206,912 through the Scheme from my Department.