Coffey welcomes commitment of €378,750 for Waterford Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy Paudie Coffey has welcomed € 378,750 funding for coastal work in County Waterford under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme.

Speaking today Deputy Coffey said:

“Last year Minister Simon Coveney requested that all coastal local authorities apply for funding for infrastructural work and Waterford County Council has been awarded €378,500 for works at Dungarvan Harbour, Helvick Head, Ballinacourty and Helvick Slipway.

“We are lucky in County Waterford to have a magnificent coastline that is very attractive for tourists; however, we have to invest in maintaining access to our Harbours and Marinas.

“At Dungarvan Harbour there will be a removal of mudbank and extension to pontoons. At Helvick Head, voids will be filled to the pier structure to prevent further loss of material which if not carried out will lead to the structural collapse of the pier.

“Helvick Slipway will see improvements also with the realignment and overslabbing of existing slipway at Helvick Harbour. The existing slipway is in poor condition and is poorly aligned making it difficult for RNLI to launch in an emergency

“Ballinacourty will see refurbishment works to existing pier which is showing signs of subsidence. Repointing of the masonry walls, grouting of the internal pier structure and refurbishment of the pier deck surface, improvement to water access steps and slipway will also take place.

“All of this work will be completed by the end of this year and will provide local employment during the construction phase. Under the 2012 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme the Department has given priority to Health and Safety Works.”