Vol. 550 No. 4
164 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the funding he intends to provide for the redevelopment of Heilbhic fishing port (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9144/02]
The harbour at Heilbhic is owned by Waterford County Council and responsibility for any development or maintenance works rests with the local authority in the first instance. As the harbour is located in a Gaeltacht area the question of funding any fishery harbour development works is a matter for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
The Deputy may be aware that I recently formally launched the marine tourism sub-measure which will be implemented by my Department as part of the two regional operational programmes of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Under this grant scheme, €25.4 million has been allocated to marine tourism, and targeted particularly at improving marine access infrastructure such as marinas, berths and slipways. Funding will also be made available under the scheme for feasibility studies in respect of marine access infrastructure projects.
My Department has already announced the first call for applications and formal application forms and guidelines have been made available by my Department to all parties who have expressed an interest in the scheme. This includes Waterford County Council which has advised my Department that the construction of a new marina is proposed within its development plan for Heilbhic Harbour. Should the county council make an application in respect of this proposed marina, it will be assessed in accordance with the procedures laid down under the scheme.
