Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney T.D., has announced details of an €18 million Capital Investment Package in 2016 for the development of Ireland’s fishery harbor network.
Announcing the investment package, the minister said “ In total I am allocating €18m for this year’s Fishery Harbor and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Program. I have set aside €16m towards safety, maintenance and new development works at the six Fishery Harbor Centers at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Rossaveel and Killybegs .”
Flagship projects in the 2016 Capital Program include the provision of dedicated Ferry pontoons on the West Pier in Howth, infrastructure upgrades in Dunmore East, commencement of the Dinish Wharf expansion Project in Castletownbere, expansion of the small craft harbor in Ros an Mhíl and the Smooth Point pier extension in Killybegs.
The minister continued, “ While there are a number of flagship projects for completion this year, of equal importance is the preparatory work for significant potential projects in Howth, Dunmore East, An Daingean and Ros an Mhíl. ”
The 2016 Fishery Harbor and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Program outlined by the minister also contains funding of €2m to assist coastal Local Authorities repair, maintain and develop piers, harbors and slipways under their ownership.
The minister stated “ A number of smaller fishing piers around the coast experienced some damage during the recent storms and we are currently assessing how best to assist Local Authorities in carrying out repairs. ”
Concluding on the 2016 Fishery Harbor and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Program, the minister said that this year’s program is significant on a number of fronts.
It provides for the continuation of the government’s strategy to develop and improve the facilities at fishery harbors in 2016 and 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.