McHugh welcomes fantastic €6.2M Government Boost for Killybegs

* Works include 120 metre extension to quay

Donegal TD and Minister of State Joe McHugh has today welcomed news that the Government is to pour €6.2 Million into upgrading work in Killybegs harbour.

On top of that, Donegal County Council will also benefit from further funding at other harbours in the county.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed today announced details of the overall €28m Capital Investment Package for the ongoing development of Ireland’s Local Authority owned small harbour network.

Killybegs is one of six Fishery Harbour Centres in the State. The six will share in €20 million of funding on new developments with the Donegal harbour getting almost a third of that fund.

“This is fantastic news for Killybegs,” said Minister McHugh.

“This capital investment in Killybegs is one of the largest in the State. The money will be spent on the Smooth Point pier extension and permitting, a harbour electrics upgrade and the final completion of the small craft harbour.

 “The project will deliver 120m of additional quay in the vicinity of Smooth Point and will provide sheltered stern on berthing for approximately 8-10 large fishing vessels.

 “The quay wall will be similar to what’s there and construction will take around nine months.

“This once again shows the commitment to this Government to Killybegs, to the fishing industry and to Donegal.”

In announcing the initiative the Minister Creed said today: “The €28m I am allocating for the 2017 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme represents a significantly increased   capital investment in the six Fishery Harbour Centres and other fisheries related marine infrastructure.

“It is testament not only to this Government’s ongoing commitment to the Seafood sector, but also to the success of the sector in terms of increased activity levels.”

The Annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme provides funding for development works, safety and maintenance at the six Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle and Ros an Mhil.

The primary function of the Fishery Harbour Centres is to underpin the ongoing development of the fisheries and seafood processing sectors, while also facilitating other diverse marine related activities.

The annual value of all fish landings into the six Fishery Harbour Centres increased from €136.8m to €262.3m over the period from 2010 to 2015.

Minister Creed said: “I have set aside almost €25.5m towards development works, safety and maintenance at the six Fishery Harbour Centres which account for around 85% of all fish landed into Ireland.

“I have also approved €2.5m for a Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure programme to assist coastal Local Authorities in the repair and development of small scale piers, harbours and slipways under their ownership.”

Flagship projects in the 2017 Capital Programme include the major quay extensions at Killybegs, Castletownbere and Howth.

The Minister concluded by saying: “This €28m investment will build on the €64m invested in the Fishery Harbour Centres since 2010 and the €23m invested in the Local Authority infrastructure over the same period.

“It continues to improve the facilities at our Fishery Harbour Centres and other public harbours around our coast attracting increasing and additional economic activities,  benefitting a broad cohort of current and future harbour users including the fishing industry, seafood processing sector, other ancillary marine industries, and the wider rural coastal communities.”

ENDS