State-aid for storm battered piers and harbours

Eleven local authorities that manage the State’s 115 harbours/piers/slipways damaged during the storms of winter 2013/’14 are to receive €8.5m exchequer aid. €7m will support 111 projects and €1.5m will go towards remediation works at four of the State owned non-Fishery Harbour Centres, including €1.3m for North Harbour, Cape Clear.

 

Minister Simon Coveney speaks to locals in Connemara. Councillor Seosamh O Laoi, second left; Senator Hildegard Naughton, Councillor Eileen Mannion and Sean Kyne TD  

“We are all too well aware of the damage wreaked on our harbour network….I am delighted to announce this significant funding for the immediate repair of piers and harbours across the country, as part of an extended capital programme for 2014,” remarked Simon Coveney,

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Minister Coveney also announced details of a further €15m towards harbour development. A significant increase on 2013 funding, Minister Coveney said it was an indication of the government’s “commitment to developing our fishing harbours for the benefit of our fishing industry, seafood processing sector, other ancillary marine industries and the wider community.”

€11.63m will be allocated towards safety, maintenance and new development works at six Fishery Harbour Centres at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros a Mhíl and Killybegs, in addition to infrastructural improvement works at ‘bull nose’ pier, North Harbour, Cape Clear. This works also includes €4m for dredging works at Dunmore East. €3m is being allocated for Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure programmes.