Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1408. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to renovate a harbour (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35623/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFriday, 6 September 2019
Ceisteanna (1408)
Freagraí scríofa
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 Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the ex-Congested Districts Board.
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 and Local Government thereafter. In the case of Fenit Harbour, Kerry County Council is the relevant local authority.
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.
Between 2011 and 2018, €1.6 million in funding has been granted under the programme to Kerry County Council, including €247,500 in funding for development works and repairs at Fenit Harbour over the same period.
I approved funding of €2.2m for the Local Authority element of my Departments 2019 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Kerry County Council has secured €127,500 of funding for two projects under this year’s programme.
A key element in the determination of the projects to be funded is the priority placed on them by the Council, and while an application was received in relation to proposed structural repairs to the fishery storage area and the installation of a bollard to the head of the pier at Fenit, the two approved projects received a higher prioritisation by the Council.
Should any application be submitted by Kerry County Council in relation to Fenit Harbour under any future programme, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached by the Local Authority and available exchequer funds.