Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2019
523. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided in 2020 for the upgrade of the East Pier at Howth Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52882/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 Congested Districts Board.
I am happy to advise the Deputy that between the years 2010 to 2019 to date, as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, in excess of €11 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Howth FHC.
I have allocated €27m in exchequer funds to this Programme in 2020 and while no final decisions have been made on the full suite of projects to be undertaken under the 2020 capital programme at this stage, general safety and maintenance of the harbours is a non-discretionary element of my Department's annual work load and the East Pier in Howth will feature in these works as necessary. In addition in 2020, Departmental staff will undertake further studies and measurement-taking exercises to provide data which will further inform design solutions to address the problem of overtopping of the East Pier in Howth during storms and reduce the ensuing damage caused to the structure.
