Vol. 560 No. 1
548 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the funding of ?1 million, as promised in February 2002, has been provided for the marina at the Quay, Westport, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1430/03]
550 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position on the marina at the Quay, Westport; if funding has been sanctioned for this project; the outlay Mayo County Council has in the consultant's report; the person who carried out the consultant's report; the cost of same; if Mayo County Council has been paid for this report; if the project will go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1432/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 550 together.
In December 2001 my predecessor, the former Minister, Deputy Fahey, announced approval, in principle, for a grant of up to £40,000 – 75% of the total cost – to Westport Harbour Commissioners for a feasibility study to examine the potential for a marina at the harbour. The consultants were Patrick J. Tobin Consulting Engineers, Hynes Building, St. Augustine Street, Galway. The total cost of the study was €34,001 of which my Department provided funding of €25,500, representing 75% of the total cost. This was paid to Mayo County Council in November 2002.
In March 2002, Mayo County Council submitted an application for funding for a marina under the marine tourism grant scheme of the national development plan. The Deputy will, however, be aware that the revised Estimates for 2003 included major adjustments in marine spending. The funds allocated to marine tourism in 2003 are already fully committed to a number of flagship projects. There are no additional funds available for any additional marine infrastructure projects under the NDP marine tourism grant scheme in 2003.
