Harbours and Piers

Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Questions (616)

Michael Cahill

Question:

616. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on funding secured for the proposed upgrade of the crane at Kilmackillogue, County Kerry; and the amount of funding allocated and the source of the funding. [68578/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The 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, Kilmackillogue (Kilmacalogue) 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, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. The Department co-funds up to 75% of the eligible project costs (up to a maximum of €187,500 funding per project provided by DAFM) with the local authorities providing the balance.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that under the 2025 Programme Kerry County Council was reimbursed a total of €595,383 upon completion of 6 approved projects. This included funding of €84,801 to install a lifting arm (crane) at Kilmackillogue Pier to facilitate loading and unloading of equipment and catch.

Under the 2026 Programme announced in May this year, Kerry County Council received an offer of €495,750 to undertake 5 approved projects this year. The offer includes an allocation of €38,250 to upgrade the Kilmackillogue Pier lifting arm. I understand from the latest progress report submitted by Kerry County Council that the upgrade works have commenced with completion scheduled for early October 2026.

While this Department is administering this Scheme, each local authority is responsible for governance and delivery of its own projects and so Kerry County Council are best placed to provide further details on individual projects.