An €18m Capital Investment Package for the development of Ireland’s fishery harbour network in 2016 has been announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney.
“In total I am allocating €18m for this year's Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme,” said Minister Coveney. “I have set aside €16m towards safety, maintenance and new development works at the six Fishery Harbour Centres at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Rossaveel and Killybegs. I am also making €2m available for a Local Authority Harbour Programme, and I am assessing specifically what is required to address storm damage at Local Authority owned fishery harbours.”
Flagship projects in the 2016 Capital Programme include the provision of dedicated ferry pontoons on the West Pier in Howth; infrastructure upgrades in Dunmore East; commencement of the Dinish Wharf expansion Project in Castletownbere; expansion of the small craft harbour in Ros an Mhíl; and the Smooth Point pier extension in Killybegs.
The Programme outlined by the Minister also contains funding of €2m to assist coastal Local Authorities repair, maintain and develop piers, harbours and slipways under their ownership.
“I am delighted to continue to support Local Authorities in their efforts to maintain and develop the fishery harbour network which provides much needed facilities for our rural fishing and marine focussed communities,” said Minister Coveney. “A number of smaller fishing piers around the coast experienced some damage during the recent storms and we are currently assessing how best to assist Local Authorities in carrying out repairs.”
