Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2004
187 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the proposed marinas in County Mayo; if he will provide the breakdown of all funding that has been provided to date; the stage each application is at; the reports which have been carried out on these projects; the status of the reports; and when he expects to see the work starting and completing on all of these marinas. [27409/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe vehicle for funding marine access infrastructure for tourism purposes was the marine tourism grant scheme, a sub-measure of the tourism measure under the national development plan. Funding for marina developments at Westport, Blacksod and Ballina was applied for by Mayo County Council and the respective harbour authorities under the scheme. Unfortunately, this scheme was suspended in December 2002 due to lack of available Exchequer funds and it is unlikely that it will be reactivated within the term of the national development plan.
In February 2002 the Department did, however, provide funding of €25,500 to Mayo County Council acting in partnership with Westport Harbour Commissioners towards a completed feasibility study for the development of a marina at Westport Harbour. While no funding is available specifically for marina developments, a payment of €94,276 was made to Westport Harbour Commissioners in December 2002 for expenditure incurred on Westport harbours integrated development plan. This payment was made on the strict condition that there could be no expectation of further funding for the development plan under the seaports measure of the national development plan. In 2004 the Department provided the River Moy Harbour Commissioners with €75,000 and the Westport Harbour Commissioners with €180,000, for works aimed at protecting the safety of the public and the fabric of the harbours.
