Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
466. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to make capital investments in fishing ports during this term of Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42623/20]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, 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.
The six Fishery Harbour Centres are the essential infrastructure that underpin the Government’s Seafood Strategy. Approximately 85% of all fish landed in Ireland are landed at the Fishery Harbour Centres. The Centres are strategically located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros a Mhíl to further develop a modern offshore Irish fishing fleet and attract the large offshore fishing vessels of other Member States to maximise landings and drive the development of a modern onshore processing industry.
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, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter.
To provide for the necessary safety, maintenance and ongoing development of the six Fishery Harbour Centres, my Department administers the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme. As part of this programme my Department also provides 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 2010 and 2019 almost €161 million has been invested in marine infrastructure under the Capital Development Programme.
In line with normal budgetary processes, funds are made available for this programme on an annual basis. €30 million has been allocated for the 2021 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme. Final decisions have yet to been made regarding the full suite of projects to be included in the 2021 Programme.
