Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2025
310. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the interest of public health and safety, if urgent improvement works to the new pier on Tarbert Island, County Kerry, will be carried out, and if the sinkhole can be addressed, as a matter of priority. [64316/25]
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. As such, Tarbert Island Pier is under the remit of Kerry County Council. The primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
However, as part of the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department has, in previous years, provided funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership. These projects must support the core objective of my Department to support the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Applications are assessed by considering the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, the priority assigned to each project by the pertinent local authority, the funding available, and the necessity to guarantee a wide geographical distribution of projects.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 21st May last, I announced an allocation of €4.33 million for 57 projects across 11 coastal local authorities under the 2025 Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme as part of this Programme. My Department will co-fund up to 75% of the eligible project costs (up to a maximum of €187,500 scheme funding per project) with the local authorities providing the balance.
Kerry County Council submitted applications for 6 projects, all of which were approved for funding to the combined value of €628,000.
My Department is administering this Scheme, and each local authority is responsible for the governance and delivery of its own projects.
Matters in relation to Tarbert Island Pier should be directed to Kerry County Council.
