Minister approves Cromane Project

Minister Dermot Ahern has announced he has approved the advancement of the Cromane Project in Co Kerry to planning stage.

The immediate development will include provision of a new breakwater, dredging of the entrance channel and berthing basin to 2.7 metres below chart datum, a new pier of 80m length, and an access roadway as the main features, with the planning application allowing for further development.

On a visit to Cromane, where he met local fishermen, the Minister gave the go-ahead to Kerry County Council to commence the process of obtaining the relevant statutory permissions.

The total cost of Phase One is estimated at €6.5m.

The project will be funded under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and will qualify for co-funding by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Following the successful completion of the various statutory procedures, Minister Ahern will seek Department of Finance sanction for the development on the basis of a 25% contribution from the Council and 75% from his Department.