Michael Healy-Rae
Question:505. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25066/19]
View answerTuesday, 18 June 2019
Questions (505)
Written answers
My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.
The responsibility for the development, and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each Local Authority in the first instance and their parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government thereafter.
However, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department has provided limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership. Between 2011 - 2018, €1.6 million in funding has been granted under the programme to Kerry County Council. The pier at Ballinskelligs received funding of €337,380 under this programme between 2016 and 2018.
Kerry County Council has secured €127,500 of funding for two projects under this year’s programme, namely Tarbert Pier and Dromatoor Pier.
A key element in the determination of the projects to be funded is the priority placed on them by the Council, and while applications were received for Glen Pier, Ballinskelligs and Fenit, the two projects at Tarbert and Dromatoor received a higher prioritisation by the Council.
These two projects remain on a reserve list of eligible projects which would only progress should additional funding become available during the year.
Should any application be submitted by Kerry County Council in relation to Glen Pier, Ballinskelligs under any future programme, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached by the Council and available funds.