Over €540k has been allocated to two local ports under the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-23 which is funded through the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
Welcoming the news, Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd said “A total of €352k has been approved for Port Oriel and €190k has been approved for Annagassan Port which will then be topped up by Louth County Council creating a total of €637k investment. These monies will be used to upgrade and rejuvenate the ports.
“At Port Oriel the project aims to upgrade the electrical systems including the power, lights and waters systems, along with works to the pier landing area and accessibility safety works.
“At Annagassan Port the majority of the funding is being spent on general safety upgrade works.
O’Dowd added “The news was confirmed to me by the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue T.D. as part of a €32.7m national funding announcement for 110 projects around the Irish coast which will see projects worth over €40m in total once the local authorities have added their contribution.
“The Minister also confirmed to me that Louth County Council submitted a total of 5 application and all 5 have been approved.
“I’m delighted to see that we have secured such healthy investment for two of our local ports in particular as the Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding is only available until the end of 2023 so it was critical time to maximise our return before it closes.”
Louth Fianna Fáil Senator, Erin McGreehan also welcomed €542,149 in approved funding to help projects to rejuvenate public marine infrastructure in County Louth.
“I am delighted to see funding for projects at Port Oriel in Clogherhead and Annagassan port” she said. “Supporting our coastal communities in their transition to living in a post-Brexit economy is a priority of mine and I am confident that this funding will help future-proof our piers and harbours.
“There has also been great co-operation and engagement between local authority, coastal communities and political representatives to make this happen.”
“The Scheme arose from a recommendation of the Seafood Taskforce, set up in March 2021 to look at the impacts specifically on the fishing sector and coastal communities. The Taskforce recommended that the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) be used to fund rejuvenation of Ireland’s publicly owned coastal and marine infrastructure specifically to address the economic consequences of Brexit arising from the implications to the Irish fishing industry.
“This investment is intended to help to drive economic diversification and will complement other measures such as Community Led Local Development via the Fisheries Local Action Groups.
Speaking at today’s announcement of the approval of €32.7m in funding for 110 projects around the Irish coast which will fund projects worth over €40m in total, Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, encouraged local authorities to pivot now and focus on delivery of their approved projects.
“It is vital that the construction stimulus identified by the Seafood Taskforce is felt as soon as possible in coastal communities, particularly with the other geopolitical challenges currently at play. I ask that all projects with the necessary consents be actioned as soon as possible. The BAR funding is only available until the end of 2023 and this is a unique opportunity to reinvigorate our public marine infrastructure.”
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is administering the Scheme. Each local authority is responsible for governance and delivery of its own projects. A further call for projects will issue later this year to allocate the remaining funding under the Scheme.
