Harbours and Piers

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022

Tuesday, 17 May 2022

Questions (763)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

763. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the topical issue debate on 23 February 2022, if he has provided specific funding to Donegal County Council for the repair of Polawaddy slipway on Arranmore Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24407/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues for local authorities should be addressed to that Minister. Additionally, responsibility for the development of the offshore Islands lies with the Minister for Rural and Community Development.

My Department is administering the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023. This scheme is being proposed for funding from the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Under the Scheme, my Department considers the applications made by and prioritised by the local authorities. Donegal County Council is poised to receive €14.46 million to undertake 15 projects based on the eligible project applications which the local authority itself identified and prioritised. Donegal County Council has not applied for funding under the BALAMI Scheme for Polawaddy slipway at this time.

Details of the funding allocated is available online at gov.ie- McConalogue announces approval of €31.7 million Brexit investment in Public Marine Infrastructure (www.gov.ie)

A further call for eligible projects is planned for later in the year to allocate remaining funding identified for the scheme. In the meantime I hope that each of the relevant local authorities is pressing forward with delivery of the approved projects so that the construction stimulus identified by the Seafood Taskforce is felt as soon as possible in coastal communities.