Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
654. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the various funding mechanisms which exist for local authorities through his Department which relate to fisheries and the marine, in tabular form; and the level of funding directed to each local authority in each year from 2015 to 2025. [32440/25]
View answer655. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capital funding allocated to each local authority for public harbours and piers through the Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme and any other similar funding stream in each year from 2010 to 2025, in tabular form; and the total allocated to each local authority over the period. [32446/25]
View answerThe responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. The primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, my Department has provided funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership.
As part of my Department's annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, limited funding is provided for small scale shovel ready projects under a Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. My Department also administered the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023, which provided unprecedented funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. In 2024, funding was allocated to 15 local authority marine infrastructure projects previously allocated funding under the BALAMI Scheme but which encountered delivery challenges including in relation to consenting, procurement, supply chain and weather windows for works. In this period (2022-2024), there was no separate local authority scheme funded by my Department.
Between the years 2010 and 2024, my Department reimbursed total funding of over €84.6 million on a matured liability basis to local authorities under both the Local Authority and BALAMI schemes. The focus of the funding is to support actual capital works and it is a matter for each local authority to manage and deliver the projects, and to submit a claim for reimbursement within the timeframe of the scheme.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 21st May last, Minister Dooley and I announced an allocation of €4.33 million for 57 projects across 11 coastal local authorities under the 2025 Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. My Department will co-fund up to 75% of the eligible project costs, with the local authorities providing the balance. The maximum funding to be provided by my Department per eligible project is €187,500 (75% of €250,000).
The attached table details the funding reimbursed by my Department to local authorities in the period 2010-2024. The 2025 funding allocation to local authorities is included in the table. Final expenditure for 2025 will not be available until after the scheme closes at the end of the year.
