P. J. Sheehan
Question:23 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if funding will be provided for the £15 million development plan for Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre in his Department's 2001 Estimates. [2960/01]
Written Answers. - Harbours and Piers.
I announced in the context of the December budget an additional £7 million for the development and upgrading of fishery harbours for fishery purposes in 2001. The total provision in the Revised Estimate for the current year now is £20.2 million. This represents a significant increase over the 2000 allocation and allocations in previous years.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I have provided funding of £2.7 million this year towards infrastructure development at Castletownbere. This major capital project is estimated at £10.5 million overall and will take three years to complete. The pier extension at Dinish Wharf and the construction of a new auction hall are key priority components of the project as agreed locally.
Consulting engineers were appointed last year to take forward technical work on the development proposals. Their preliminary report has been completed and will now be discussed with the harbour users group and local interested parties before proceeding to the planning phase. I intend to discuss the preliminary report with the interested parties before the end of the month. Following consultation and detailed agreement on the proposals, a planning application will be lodged and other necessary statutory permissions progressed from March onwards. Subject to the outcome of the planning and other statutory processes, design and tendering will get under way with a view to beginning the development work during the year.