Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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130. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the regulations of his Department's funding scheme for local authority ports and harbours to include the costs of preparatory work, such as assessment and licensing work, which in the case of dredging can often cost more than the physical work; if he has been briefed on the current situation in Cé Heilbhic in An Rinn, Contae Phort Láirge, where lives and livelihoods are at risk due to the inability of vessels, including the lifeboat and local fishing fleet, to use the harbour at low water; if he will commit to working with all stakeholders to resolve the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3893/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority. The relevant local authority in the case of Cé Heilbhic is Waterford City & County Council.

As part of the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department provides funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership.

Overall, since 2011, Waterford City & County Council has received a total of €6.75 million for capital infrastructure works from my Department, including almost €1.2 million for capital works at Cé Heilbhic.

Between 2011 and 2021 specifically, the Council received funding of €3.64 million, of which €680,000 was in respect of works at Cé Heilbhic. More recently, in 2022 and 2023, the Council was reimbursed €3.11 million by my Department for 10 capital projects through the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) scheme, of which €557,000 was in respect of repair and construction works at Cé Heilbhic.

On March 13th last, Minister of State Timmy Dooley and I, announced an allocation of €27.75 million to my Department’s 2025 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. The announcement includes €4.3 million funding for coastal local authorities to support the repair, maintenance and development of fishery - and aquaculture - linked marine infrastructures under their ownership. This is the largest funding allocation to the local authority marine infrastructure scheme in recent years outside of the one-off Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding administered under the BALAMI Scheme 2022-2023.

I am fully committed to our Programme for Government commitment to invest in our public marine infrastructure. In respect of the funding provided for local authority-owned marine infrastructure under our 2025 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department will co-fund up to 75% of eligible project costs, with the local authority providing the balance. My Department only funds actual capital works. For projects to be considered for funding the project must be shovel ready with consents in place. The costs associated with studies, design and consenting must be borne by local authorities concerned.

I strongly encourage local authorities, including Waterford City and County Council, to submit applications before the April 4th closing date. Should an application for funding be made in relation to dredging works at Cé Heilbhic, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the funding Programme.