Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 October 2018
34. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Killybegs Harbour works will commence; if no delays have occurred on this project or that other harbour projects have been prioritised over Killybegs to date; the timeline for the Killybegs project moving forward; if the necessary funding is in place and ring-fenced for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41262/18]
View answerKillybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
The Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) has been attracting increasing levels of fishing, commercial cargo and cruise liner activity and the need for additional berthage has been recognised. The Smooth Point project when complete will provide an additional 120 metres of sheltered berthage to a depth of -9.0m Chart datum in Killybegs FHC. In addition to facilitating the increased activity it would also enable relocating larger fishing vessels from the Blackrock Pier to the new berthage area.
Because some of the material to be dredged was contaminated, for management purposes, the project was divided into two phases. Phase 1 which entailed the dredging and removal of the contaminated material commenced in 2017 and has been completed in 2018 at a cost of approximately €6.5m.
The commencement of phase 1 was delayed due to a longer than expected permitting phase. €3.5m was allocated for phase 1 in 2018 however, as additional work was carried out as part of these works, an extra €0.7m had to be allocated in 2018 to complete it bringing the expected total spend in 2018 to €4.2m.
Phase 2 involves the dredging of the remaining uncontaminated material and construction of the 120 metres of berthing space. It is proposed to issue tenders for phase 2 in 2019, with works commencing next year and a completion date in 2020. The final costs of phase 2 will only be determined following the competitive tendering process, however it is estimated to be in the region of €9m.
The provision for the development and upgrading of Fishery Harbours in 2019 has been increased by €6.284m to €27.284m. Developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres are considered under annual capital programmes on the basis of available Exchequer funding. While decisions on the final make up of the 2019 Capital Programme have yet to be made, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to tendering and commencing Phase 2 of the project at Smooth Point in 2019, with a view to completing the project in 2020.
