Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019
187. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applications will be invited from local authorities for the development and maintenance of piers under the fishery harbour development scheme; the amount of funding that has been allocated to the scheme in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2064/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute.
In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.
The responsibility for the development, and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each Local Authority in the first instance and their parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government thereafter.
However, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department has provided limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership.
I expect to make a decision shortly as to the final construct of the 2019 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
