Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
894. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the interest of health and safety, to urgently provide the construction of a landing facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39076/26]
View answerThe responsibility for the development and maintenance of Local Authority-owned piers, harbours, and slipways rests with each individual Local Authority in the first instance. This responsibility includes ensuring that all such marine facilities are fully compliant with health and safety requirements. The facilities at Cromane fall under the remit of Kerry County Council in the first instance, and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter.
I and previous Ministers have provided a commitment for my Department to work with Kerry County Council to examine the feasibility of providing a landing facility at Cromane. Senior officials within my Department and within Kerry Country Council met on May 22nd to explore future plans. It was determined that the ambitions proposed for Cromane extend beyond the maximum funding provided under the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme administered by this Department. It was also determined that an alternative source of funding is not available to Kerry County Council at this time. It was agreed that officials will continue to engage regarding possible future plans for the site. Any future funding applications relating to this pier will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of Department schemes, available Exchequer funding, and overall national priorities.
On 20th May this year, I announced a national allocation of over €4.8 million for the 2026 Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. As part of this rollout, I was delighted to approve a maximum funding package of €495,750 specifically for Kerry County Council. This funding supports up to 75% of eligible costs for specific local works to a maximum of €187,500 per project - which is allocated to Kerry County Council in respect to two projects (Fenit Pier and Knightstown Breakwater).
