Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 20 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 2

Written Answers. - Development of Secondary Harbours.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

61 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to develop secondary harbours; if moneys will be available from the EC Cohesion Funds for this purpose; and if he intends reducing the percentage contribution each county council must make towards project costs to enable more development take place.

Minister of State at the Department of the Marine (Mr. G. O'Sullivan)

The Department of the Marine is currently implementing the final year of its Fishery Harbour Development Programme covering the period 1989 through to 1993. The programme's objectives included not only the infrastructural development of the State-owned fishery harbour centres, but also the development of a number of strategically placed secondary harbours at which significant catches may be landed and a number of smaller harbours catering for needs which cannot be satisfied otherwise, either because they would add to congestion problems at the larger harbours or because the landing facilities in question are located adjacent to fishing grounds or aquaculture sites.

The development programme involved an expenditure of £15 million— 1989 prices—on infrastructural improvements at selected harbours, towards which a European Regional Development Fund contribution of £7.5 million, 50 per cent through the Operational Programme for Rural Development was secured.

The Department of the Marine is currently drawing up a new development plan for fishery harbours. This plan will again address the infrastructural needs of the State-owned fishery harbour centres and secondary harbours, including separate provision for aquaculture landing places. It is hoped that EC Structural Fund assistance will again be secured in respect of this plan.

Regarding the contribution levels required of the relevant local authorities towards development works undertaken at local authority owned harbours, the Deputy may be aware that under a long standing policy the level of grant aid available from the Department of the Marine depends on the geographic location of the proposed project. Projects undertaken to the east of a line from Lough Foyle to the Old Head of Kinsale may be provided with a maximum of 50 per cent grant aid. Projects in other areas can receive a maximum of 75 per cent grant aid.

In recent years difficulties have been encountered in the carrying out of development projects identified by the Department of the Marine, following consultation with local authorities as the relevant local authorities have had problems in funding their contributions to the cost of those projects. In view of the difficulties being encountered in relation to local contribution levels, the Department of the Marine intends reviewing the level of contribution to be sought from local authorities in respect of the new development plan which is being drawn up.