Michael Healy-Rae
Question:450. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when works will be carried out at a pier (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49868/19]
View answerTuesday, 3 December 2019
Questions (450)
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 Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board.
Cleandra Pier is owned by Cork County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government thereafter.
As indicated, my legislative remit does not extend to Cleandra Pier, and given that the ownership of, and overall responsibility for Cleandra Pier rests with the County Council, it is the Council who will decide if it wishes to carry out any further development, repair or maintenance.
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 approved funding of €2.2m for the Local Authority element of my Department’s 2019 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Cork County Council has secured funding to the value of €218,625 for ten projects under this year’s programme. No application for funding in relation to Cleandra Pier was received under this year’s programme.
Should any application be submitted by Cork County Council in relation to Cleandra Pier 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.