The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., has announced details of a €35.7 million Capital Investment Package for the ongoing development of Ireland’s publicly owned harbor network.
Commenting on the initiative the Minister said: “ This €35.7m capital investment package in our six Fishery Harbor Centers and other fisheries related marine infrastructure represents an increase of €9.4m on the final expenditure on this program in 2018 and underlines the importance this Government places on the ever significant contribution of the wider Seafood sector to Irelands economy. ”
The Annual Fishery Harbor and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Program provides funding for safety, maintenance and new development works at the six Fishery Harbor Centers at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros An Mhíl and Killybegs.
Flagship projects in the 2019 Capital Program include the continuation of the Dinish Island quay extension at Castletownbere (€17.5m in 2019), the Smooth Point extension Phase 2 at Killybegs (€4.0m in 2019) and the provision of additional berthing space on the Middle Pier in Howth (€4.5m in 2019).
“ The quay extension projects in Castletownbere, Killybegs and Howth will collectively provide an additional 460 meters of berthing space in the respective harbors recognizing the growing levels of fishing activity in particular, but also the increasing demands from other sectors including commercial cargo, leisure and tourism and cruise liners, ” added the Minister.
€2.48m has been set aside for safety, maintenance and disability access works at the six Fishery Harbor Centers and at North Harbor, Cape Clear which is also owned by the Department. In addition €2m is earmarked for a Local Authority Harbor Development and Marine Leisure program to assist coastal Local Authorities in the repair and development of piers, harbors and slipways under their ownership.
The Minister concluded by saying that this €35.7 investment will build on the €96m invested in the Fishery Harbor Centers since 2010 and the €27m invested in the Local Authority infrastructure over the same period.