Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020
891. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be made available for the extension of Renard pier, Cahersiveen, County Kerry by at least 30 metres in order to allow bigger and deeper trawlers land their catches. [6366/20]
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.
Renard Pier is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance, and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government thereafter.
As my legislative remit does not extend to Renard Pier, and given that the ownership of, and overall responsibility for Renard Pier rests with the County Council, it is the Council who will decide if it wishes to carry out any further development, repair or maintenance.
My Department does however provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. Since 2014, my Department has provided funding to the value of €335,235 to Kerry County Council for development and maintenance works at Renard Pier.
I have allocated funding of €3.1m for the Local Authority element of my Department’s 2020 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme with funding of €251,250 allocated for three projects in Kerry under this programme at Ventry, Glen Pier Ballinskelligs and Tarbert.
No application for funding in relation to Renard Pier was received under this year’s programme. Should any application be submitted by Kerry County Council in relation to Renard Pier 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 Council and available funds.
