Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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864. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to assist the local community with extension works to both the pontoon and slip at Portmagee Pier, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2569/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, Portmagee Pier is owned by Kerry County Council and, as such, responsibility for its development and maintenance rests with that local authority in the first instance, and with its parent department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter.

That said, my Department has provided funding of over €4.4 million to Kerry County Council since 2011 to assist in the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership, with over €2 million provided between 2011-2021 through the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. More recently, the Council received €2.4 million under the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme.

The ongoing maintenance of piers and harbours is primarily a matter for the local authority concerned. However, under any future programme, should an application for funding be made by Kerry County Council in relation to extension works at Portmagee Pier, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of Department schemes, available Exchequer funding, and overall national priorities.