Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
587 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 30 March 2004, in particular to the last paragraph of his reply to same (details supplied), the proposals he has to finance urgent repairs to the pier at Helvick, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17682/04]
View answerI wish to state at the outset that the question referred to by the Deputy was addressed to the Minister of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, who replied to same on 30 March 2004.
Under the national development plan a seven-year programme has been put in place by my Department to develop strategic Gaeltacht piers in consultation with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resource and/or the relevant local authorities. My Department may make grants of up to 100% available under the programme, while the works in question are undertaken by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources or by the relevant local authority.
Helvick pier has been identified as a strategic Gaeltacht pier under this programme. However, it is estimated that the development of the pier would cost in excess of €4 million, which would be outside the scope and scale of development normally envisaged under the programme. My Department has, however, had discussions with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources regarding this project. Should that Department be in a position to allocate funding to this project in the future, my Department would be open to considering the question of co-funding.
