Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
480. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide, in tabular form, an account of the distribution of Brexit adjustment reserve funds to enhance, upgrade, and develop Ireland's coastal and marine infrastructure; the specific projects and costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21290/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for the enhancement, development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues should be addressed to that Minister.
Through the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023, my Department co-funded up to 95% of the eligible costs of the approved projects, with the local authorities funding the balance. Local authorities were reimbursed eligible project costs (pro-rata) on a matured liability basis following inspection of the capital works and verification of the evidenced expenditure. The focus of the Scheme is on supporting actual capital works and it was a matter for each local authority to progress any preparatory studies, permitting and design works. Therefore, if the Deputy requires overall project costs, each local authority would be best positioned to provide same.
The attached table details the funding distribution of specific projects under the BALAMI Scheme 2022-2023, and also includes the projects completed so far in 2024. The BAR does not provide for reimbursement of VAT so that element was supported by the National Exchequer. The Scheme Contribution total (to date) is €38.9m of which €36.4m has been funded from BAR and the balance of €2.5m by the National Exchequer.
[<a ref="https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2024-05-14_pq480-14-05-24_en.pdf" >Exchequer</a>]
