Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1203. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of funding for the pier at Leenan, County Donegal in order that the pier can be extended; and if his attention has been drawn to the real threat to the future of the local fishing industry if these works are not carried out. [20036/17]
View answerLeenan Pier is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance, repair and development rests with Donegal County Council in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government thereafter.
My Department does however provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority-owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. I have allocated €2.8m for these purposes under this year's Programme.
On 3rd February, initial applications under the Programme were invited from all coastal Local Authorities. Our records indicate that my Department did not receive a funding application under the 2017 Programme for Leenan Pier. Should a future application be submitted by Donegal County Council in relation to this pier, it will be given due consideration.
