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Waterways Ireland Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Questions (1226)

Brendan Smith

Question:

1226. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific funding allocation in 2019 towards the restoration of the Ulster Canal; the particular works that will be undertaken with this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1778/19]

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Written answers

In July 2007, the North South Ministerial Council agreed to a proposal to restore a 13 km section of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones. This project is hugely important for the border region with potential to stimulate economic activity, giving a much needed boost to job creation and with the growth in water based tourism helping to attract significant numbers of visitors to the area. This is increasingly significant in the context of Brexit.

Government approval for Phase 1 of this project, to restore a 2.5 km stretch of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson near Belturbet in Co. Cavan, was secured in February 2015.

The works to complete this first phase have recently been concluded. A new 250 m bypass canal and new road bridge to provide navigation around the existing road bridge serving Derrykerrib Island, which had insufficient head height for navigation, have now been constructed. Waterways Ireland continues to work with Cavan County Council to develop recreational amenities at Castle Saunderson including public moorings.

Waterways Ireland anticipates expenditure of c. €154,000 in 2019 to complete payment for works at Derrykerrib and for construction works for Castle Saunderson public moorings.

In May 2018, this Government approved Phase 2, the development of a 13 km section of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones as a water sports and leisure amenity, and re-committed to developing this cross-border stretch under the Project Ireland 2040 plan, in the category of Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage.

An application has been submitted by Waterways Ireland and partners Monaghan County Council, Cavan County Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to the Department of Rural and Community Development for further funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for this second phase of development.

Waterways Ireland is also continuing work with partners Monaghan County Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, East Border Region Ltd. and Mid Ulster District Council to develop 22 km of Ulster Canal towpath between Smithborough, Co. Monaghan and Middletown, Co. Armagh funded through successful application to the Interreg VA sustainable transport measure. The group have also completed development proposals for a Greenway strategy exploring how the Ulster Canal Greenway could form the spine of a network of off road greenways across this rural border region.

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