My Department owns, manages and maintains six designated Fishery Harbour Centres under Statute. The recommendations in the Public Accounts Committee Report on those Fishery Harbour Centres which was published in June 2015 have been accepted by my Department and have been and continue to be implemented, subject to necessary legal and statutory consent procedures.
In regard to the specific queries relating to properties in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, the position regarding vacant properties/sites since the publication of the Public Accounts Committee Report in June 2015 is as follows.
The large vacant site referred to was subdivided into three, one of which was successfully tendered by open public competition in 2015. A further building on the West Pier was also successfully tendered at that time.
Regarding the tender process, there were 6 applications received for the West Pier building, the rent is €5,600 per annum and the lease is for a term of 35 years.
The subdivided site received 2 applications for the tender, the rent is €6,045 per annum and the lease is for a term of 35 years.
Currently there are 6 vacant sites in Howth:
1. The two further remaining sub-divided sites referred to above - one is being amalgamated with another larger site to provide for purpose built units for small businesses as deemed appropriate; the second subdivided site is potentially available for tender pending the resolution of an encroachment issue, which is being actively pursued.
2. A vacant property “Mariners Hall” requires significant repairs and upgrade before it can again be considered for tender. My Department is awaiting a planning decision in this regard before works can commence.
3. There are three small vacant stores built into the East Pier which are not suitable for occupation. The structures themselves are very old and in poor condition, they are not serviced by utilities and due to their location in the harbour are not generally accessible by vehicle. The East Pier is also subject to wave overtopping in stormy weather which is a major Health and Safety concern.
In addition there are properties within Howth Fishery Harbour Centre which may appear vacant, these properties are either legally occupied or in a limited number of cases subject to legal proceedings.
