Vol. 398 No. 8
38 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine , in the light of severe flooding resulting in damage to marine property as a result of storm weather earlier this year, if he will outline the proposed allocations to marine property in the forthcoming financial aid package; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Department of the Marine has been allocated £3 million, from the exceptional storm damage fund of £8 million, for its share of the cost of restoration works at commercial harbours, local authority piers and harbours and for other marine damage resulting from recent storms. These funds are being allocated in the form of grant assistance to local authorities who will be responsible for any remedial works.
An assessment of the storm damage, in each coastal county, was undertaken by my Department's engineering division, in consultation with the local authorities, and this was used as a basis for apportioning aid. Local authorities have been advised of the cost estimate of repairing storm damage in their areas and asked to submit applications to draw down the grant aid, available from my Department, towards the cost of the remedial works.
