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Harbours and Piers

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Questions (785)

Michael Ring

Question:

785. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a local authority applied for funding (details supplied) in 2018, 2019 or to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31038/20]

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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.

Belderrig Pier is owned by Mayo 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, Local Government and Heritage 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.  Since 2010, my Department has provided funding to the value of €4.8m to Mayo County Council under this programme, including €90,000 in funding for repairs to Belderrig Pier in 2014.

A key element in the determination of the projects to be funded under the Programme is the priority placed on them by the Council, and while an application was received for replacing the winch system at Belderrig Pier in 2018, the three approved Harbour Development projects received a higher prioritisation by the Council. In 2019 an application was also received in relation to the replacement of the winch system at Belderrig Pier, with the two approved Harbour Development projects having received a higher prioritisation by the Council.

Under this year’s programme, funding of €3.1m has been approved to assist 10 coastal Local Authorities undertake and complete 58 development and repair projects on harbours and slipways owned by them. Mayo County Council has secured €525,000 of funding to undertake four projects under this year’s programme

No application for funding in relation to Belderrig Pier was received under this year’s programme. Should any application be submitted by Mayo County Council in relation to Belderrig 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.

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