Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
410. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of funding that has been set aside out of the Brexit compensation fund for the fishing industry for work on piers and harbours; the amount that has been approved to date; when further funding will be approved under this scheme; the conditions of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28697/22]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that in April I announced the approval of €31.7m in funding for 110 projects under the Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023. These projects will be delivered by the local authorities concerned. This scheme is being proposed for funding from the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Details of the funding allocated is available online at gov.ie
- McConalogue announces approval of €31.7 million Brexit investment in PublicMarine Infrastructure (www.gov.ie)
The main condition of the scheme is that the projects must demonstrate a direct link to countering the adverse effects of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Also, the local authority cannot be in receipt of, nor have an application pending for, funding from any other source for the project. The focus of the scheme is on capital works and it is a matter for the local authorities to progress preparatory studies, permitting and design reports. Local authorities will need to meet these and other conditions to avail of the funding before the end of 2023.
My Department may issue a further call later this year for additional projects so that the remaining funding under this €35m scheme can be allocated.
I must stress that 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.
