Pa Daly
Ceist:216. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he anticipates the Port of Cork's redevelopment is on track to be ORE-ready in 2026. [50412/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 2 July 2026
Ceisteanna (216)
Freagraí scríofa
The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) is progressing plans for the construction of two quay berths, namely phase 1 and phase 2 of PoCC's CORE 1 project at the port’s Ringaskiddy facility located on the southern coast of Ireland.
PoCC's proposed developments will ensure continued safe and reliable maritime trade access within the EU TEN-T network while also providing the necessary facilities to allow the port to act as a deployment hub for offshore renewable energy (ORE) projects in Irish waters. PoCC plans to have both phases of development at Ringaskiddy operational and serving the ORE industry by 2028/2029.
PoCC was successful in 2024 in their application for funding under the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) fund, and was awarded €38.42 million for their two-berth development at Ringaskiddy, accounting for 30% of the total project costs.
PoCC is presently progressing the construction of phase 1 of the multi-modal berth CORE 1 project at Ringaskiddy East. The development consists of a single berth with quay-side depth of 13m, quay length of 200m and nearby laydown/quayside area and a storage yard.
The development will confirm PoCC as the first port in Ireland with the capability to facilitate ORE deployment, and its marshalling and assembly capabilities will be in place in time for the commencement of construction of Ireland's Phase 1 ORE projects, which Phase 1 ORE projects are presently being assessed by An Coimisiún Pleanála. PoCC's CORE 1 facility will also be well placed to service future ORE development projects to be located within the South Coast Designated Marine Area Plan area.
It is now estimated that PoCC's phase 1 CORE 1 works will be substantially completed by December 2026, well in advance of when the port is expected to be required by ORE developers, who now report that their expected commencement of construction of offshore wind farms in Irish waters will be close to 2030.
PoCC is also progressing plans for phase 2 of the CORE 1 development at Ringaskiddy West, which will involve a 182m extension to the existing deep-water berth, including capital dredging to a depth of 13m. Having received renewed planning permission in December 2025 for this development, PoCC is exploring plans to progress this development in 2027 to be ready for operation in 2028 / 2029.