The Irish Government’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, today announced details of an extended program to assist nine coastal local authorities undertake and complete 16 development and repair projects on harbors and slipways owned by them.
This €1 million package augments the €2.8 million already approved by the minister in March and means that in total 67 local authority developments will receive funding under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marines’ 2017 Fishery Harbor and Coastal Infrastructure Development Program.
The minister said: “I am delighted to announce this additional €1 million funding to assist local authorities in the repair and development of fishery and aquaculture linked marine harbors under their ownership.”
The Local Authority Program forms part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marines’ 2017 Fishery Harbor and Coastal Infrastructure Development Program, whereby the department co-funds up to 75% the total cost of approved projects with the local authority providing the balance.
“Between 2011 and 2016 , in excess of €22.5 million has been granted to local authorities for work under taken on 437 projects under the local authority element of my departments capital program. This, in conjunction with the €3.8 million in total for 67 projects this year constitutes a significant investment in rural communities spread along Irelands’ coastline ensuring a broad geographic spread of economic and social benefits accruing from the program,” concluded the minister.