Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012
553. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has any proposals to carry out dredging and minor repairs works in the Cuan Helvic Pier, which is located in An Rinn, Dungarvan, County Waterford, due to the fact that approximately 80 to 100 fishermen use this pier regularly and have difficulties mooring their boats there due to the condition of the pier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44835/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraHelvick Pier is in the ownership of Waterford County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with that Local Authority in the first instance. Under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme my Department has, in previous years, provided funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned harbours, piers and slipways subject to the availability of exchequer funding.
My Department did receive an application for works at Helvick Pier from Waterford County Council under this year’s Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. However, the application for Helvick Pier did not meet with the qualifying criteria and accordingly was not included in the projects approved under the 2012 programme. Any application submitted by Waterford County Council for funding under the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme in future years will be considered in the context of available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
