I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.
My Department operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute.
In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.
The responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance and their parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter. Therefore, it would be the responsibility of Dublin City Council to assess any possible marine works, studies, or assessments in the vicinity of the Clontarf Baths.
The assessment and funding of coastal flooding prevention is not within the functions of my Department.
However, my Department, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, provides limited discretionary funding to coastal local authorities for the implementation of small-scale projects focused on the development and repair of piers, harbours, and slipways under their ownership.
Local authorities are encouraged to assess the coastal and marine infrastructure they oversee on an annual basis, identifying those that may need repair, modernisation, enhancement, or upgrading, and to recognise projects that could be deemed eligible for funding under the Programme each year.
