Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

211. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when works on the new Smooth Point Phase 3 at Killybegs Fisheries Harbour Centre will commence; the estimated timeframe for this work to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17716/25]

Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

212. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when works on the new passenger embarkation pontoon at Killybegs Fisheries Harbour Centre will commence; the estimated timeframe for this work to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17717/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.

In March of this year, I, along with Minister of State Timmy Dooley, announced details of €27.75 million of funding allocated for capital projects in Ireland’s publicly owned harbours through the 2025 Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. This aligns with our Programme for Government commitment to invest in our six State Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs) and public marine infrastructure. The investment will modernise and enhance the FHCs which are located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl which are owned, operated, developed and maintained by my Department under statute.

The announcement includes €11.2 million of funding for Killybegs FHC. Within this allocation, €7 million is committed to Phase 3 of the Smooth Point project, and €2.5 million is assigned to the Passenger Embarkation Pontoon project.

It should be noted that all capital projects are subject to rigorous project management processes including design, tender action and implementation stages, and ongoing monitoring, evaluation and review in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Capital Works Management Framework and the Infrastructural Guidelines. Additionally, all contractual projects are subject to the applicable conditions of contract and, as such, it is necessary to follow due process to comply with these conditions.

I am pleased to announce that the contracts have been awarded to both projects and the works are progressing on schedule. The contract for the current phase of the flagship Smooth Point project was awarded on October 21st 2024, and the contractor is on site. The works are scheduled to be fully completed by year end.

The contract for the Passenger Embarkation Pontoon was awarded on October 30th 2024 with the contractor currently on site. These works are scheduled to be fully completed by Autumn of this year.