Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
804. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the condition of Cleandra pier in Ardgroom, County Cork; if there are plans to fund remedial works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31587/20]
View answerMy 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, Ardgroom, Co. Cork 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, Local Government and Heritage 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. Since 2010, Cork County Council has received funding of €3.9m under this Programme, with €20,777 of that funding granted in 2014 to repair storm damage at Cleandra Pier.
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. Cork County Council has secured €394,500 of funding to undertake thirteen 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.
