Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
840. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will provide the €3 million urgently required by Donegal County Council to upgrade the pier at Rathmullan, County Donegal. [46001/21]
View answerRathmullan Pier is owned by Donegal 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.
The Department provides funding to assist the coastal Local Authorities, including Donegal County Council, 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.
Between the years 2010-2020, Donegal County Council has received funding of €3.8m under this programme, with €31,000 received for projects at Rathmullan Pier that included projects relating to visitor moorings, safety measures and repairs from storm damage.
In May, I was pleased to announce a 35% increase in the funding being made available to Local Authorities from the 2021 Programme, with Donegal County Council securing funding of €637,500 to undertake 12 projects in total (nine Harbour Development and three Marine Leisure & Tourism). Further information on this year's Programme is available online at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/db402-minister-mcconalogue-announces-383-million-in-funding-for-capital-projects-at-irelands-six-fishery-harbour-centres-including-an-enhanced-scheme-for-79-local-authority-harbours-the-2021-programme-sees-a-35-increase-in-funding-for-local-authority-harbours/
No application for funding in relation to Rathmullan Pier was received under this year’s programme. Should any application be submitted by Donegal County Council in relation to Rathmullan 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 Exchequer funding.
