Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
787. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the way in which funding for piers and other marine infrastructure projects is prioritised; and the consideration that is given to small piers in supporting coastal and island communities. [9378/20]
View answer788. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of funding granted for piers and marine infrastructure projects in each local authority for the period January 2015 to April 2020, in tabular form. [9379/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 787 and 788 together.
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.
Responsibility for the maintenance and development of Local Authority-owned harbours and piers rests with each individual Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government thereafter.
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.
Each year, Local Authorities are invited to submit prioritised lists of projects for consideration to be included in the annual capital programme. All applications for funding made by Local Authorities in respect of qualifying projects are then assessed, taking into account compliance with the criteria of the scheme, the priority attached to each project by the relevant Local Authority, the funding available, and the need to ensure a broad geographical spread of projects. Since 2015, my Department has provided funding of over €13 million to 13 coastal local authorities for development and maintenance works.
The table contained in the link outlines funding allocated by my Department and the funding drawn down by each Local Authority in the years 2015 to 2020. The figures for 2015 and 2016 also include Storm Damage funding, which was additional funding to assist Local Authorities in repairing piers and harbours and eligible marine infrastructure owned by them, which were damaged by storms.
