James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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687. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered the possibility of cleaning or dredging a harbour at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33777/25]

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 in the first instance. The primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, my Department has provided funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership.

As part of my Department's annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, limited funding is provided for small scale shovel ready projects under a Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. My Department also administered the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023, which provided unprecedented funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. In 2024, funding was allocated to 15 local authority marine infrastructure projects previously allocated funding under the BALAMI Scheme but which encountered delivery challenges including in relation to consenting, procurement, supply chain and weather windows for works.

Between the years 2010 and 2024, my Department reimbursed total funding of over €10.6 million to the relevant County Council under both the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure and BALAMI schemes.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 21st May last, Minister Dooley and I announced an allocation of €4.33 million for 57 projects across 11 coastal local authorities under the 2025 Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. My Department will co-fund up to 75% of the eligible project costs, with the local authorities providing the balance.

The relevant County Council submitted applications for 9 projects, 6 of which were approved for funding. The Council did not submit any application for the project in question for consideration. Should an application for funding be made in relation to this project under any future capital programme in my Department, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of Department schemes, available Exchequer funding, and overall national priorities.