Harbours and Piers

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023

Tuesday, 21 November 2023

Questions (405)

Colm Burke

Question:

405. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm what the funding applications were for in respect of the applications made by Cork County Council to his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2022 and 2023 for the Old Pier at Keelbeg, Union Hall, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50970/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I have previously advised the Deputy of the current funding scheme, the Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023. This scheme is proposed for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and is designed specifically to address the impacts of the EU UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on the seafood sector. Cork County Council is approved for €6.3m to fund 21 projects. Cork County Council applied for funding for one project at Union Hall under the scheme but the application failed to demonstrate how the project met the eligibility requirements.

Prior to the current Brexit-focused Scheme, my Department provided funding to carry 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. Over the period 2017-2021, Cork County Council received funding of €183,000 for seven various safety improvement works at Union Hall. The attached table provides detail of the applications since 2017.

Any future supports that may be made available to support local authority capital investment in piers and harbours will have to consider the available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. 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.