The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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, the 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.
As you are aware, 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 the parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter.
However, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, the Department has, in previous years, provided 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.
The Local Authority element of our capital programme co-funds up to 75% of the total cost of approved projects (subject to a maximum overall project cost of €200,000) with the Local Authority providing the balance.
Between the years 2010 to 2020, over €1.9 million in funding has been granted under this programme to Kerry County Council with approximately 25 harbours in the County benefitting, over that period.
Under this year’s programme, funding of €4.2m has been approved to assist coastal Local Authorities undertake and complete 79 development and repair projects on harbours and slipways owned by them. The package provides funding for maintenance and repair works in addition to supporting the ongoing development and enhancement of harbour facilities, including some marine leisure developments.
Kerry County Council has secured funding of €213.75k under this year’s programme, to undertake three projects in total.
No application for funding was received under this year’s programme in relation to Cromane.
The focus of my Departments scheme remains focused on supporting actual capital works, it is a matter for Kerry County Council to progress any preparatory studies, permitting and design works.
Should any application be made for funding by Kerry County Council under any future programme in relation to actual capital works at Cromane, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached to the project by the Council, available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
