€18m set aside for development of fishing harbours

Mon, 11 Jan, 2016 - 15:00

The Government has allocated €18m in funding for the development of Irish fishing harbours.

The Infrastructure Capital Programme will fund safety, maintenance and development work as well as providing €2m to repair storm damage.

The money will be divided between our six fishery harbour centres at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Rossaveel and Killybegs.

Killybegs (pictured below) gets the largest share at €4.1m, which includes €2.5m for the development of Smooth Point Pier.

Agriculture and Marine Minister Simon Coveney said: "(The funding) provides for the continuation of this Government's strategy to develop and improve the facilities at our fishery harbours in 2016.

"(It also) prepares the groundwork for potential projects in the coming years all of which will benefit the fishing industry, seafood processing sector, other ancillary marine industries."

Where the money will be spent:

Howth:

- Traffic Management Works €150,000

- East Pier Repairs €50,000

- Pontoons to west pier for ferry landings €400,000

- Engineers office €50,000

- Preparation of Dumping at Sea licence €100,000

- Provision of Berthing Face to Middle Pier €100,000

- Electric Works West Pier €300,000

- Gas Main €150,000

- Other Services (Sewers,ducting,watermains) €150,000

Total € .45m