Simon Coveney unveils investment plan for public harbours
Marine Minister Simon Coveney announced the initiative under his department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme for 2015.
He said he had set aside €14.9m towards safety, maintenance and new development works at the six Fishery Harbour Centres at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Rossaveel, and Killybegs.
This is in addition to the completion of infrastructural improvement and storm damage repair works at North Harbour, Cape Clear, which is also owned by his department.
Flagship projects in the 2015 programme include major dredging works at Dunmore East and the provision of small craft harbours and pontoons in Howth, Rossaveal, and Killybegs.
They also include electrical upgrading in Castletownbere, and remedial works to the main pier in Dingle.
In addition, the Bull Nose Development and the Duffy’s Pier storm damage repair projects at North Harbour Cape Clear are to be completed.
Mr Coveney said he has also allocated €1.5m for a Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure programme in 2015.
And, as an exceptional measure, he is also providing in the region of €1.4mto facilitate the completion of a number of local authority storm damage projects .
These were approved in 2014 as part of the Government’s response to the extreme weather conditions in late 2013 and early last year, but not completed by the local authorities due to time constraints and other issues.
He said the significant overall level of investment will continue to implement the Government’s strategy to develop and improve facilities at Fishery Harbour Centres and other public harbours around the coast.
Mr Coveney recently announced €2.7m in grant aid to 18 seafood processing companies under the 2015 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme.
With private sector investment, it brings funding to almost €9m, which is projected to deliver 145 jobs and €41m in addition sales by 2017.
