Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:919. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a funding application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4662/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 13 May 2020
Ceisteanna (919)
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 Congested Districts Board.
Responsibility for the maintenance and development of Local Authority-owned harbours and piers rests with each individual Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government thereafter.
As part of the 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 am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have approved funding of €2.5m for the Local Authority element of my Department's 2020 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. My Department wrote to the 17 Coastal Local Authorities on 20th February inviting them to submit prioritised lists of projects for consideration. All initial applications for funding made by Local Authorities in respect of qualifying projects have been assessed, taking into account the criteria of the scheme, the priority attached to each project by the relevant Local Authority, the funding available and the need to ensure a broad geographical spread of projects.
Detailed applications on the prioritised projects were requested from Local Authorities on 20th March and the deadline for receipt of these was the 17th April. Further evaluation of these detailed application forms is currently underway and a decision will then be made on the final suite of projects to be included in the Local Authority element of the 2020 Capital Programme. A detailed application for funding has been sought and submitted by Kerry County Council in respect of Glen Pier, Ballinskelligs under the 2020 programme.