Harbours and piers in Dublin North are set to receive Government funding in 2012 for improvements worth almost €400,000, according to Fine Gael TD for Dublin North Alan Farrell. Harbours in Skerries, Balbriggan, Rush and Loughshinny will benefit, and the funding is being provided in conjunction with Fingal County Council.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney T.D. has allocated funds to Fingal County Council as part of The Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme 2012.
“This funding will go toward the improvement of infrastructure and appearance of our piers and harbours across Dublin North, as well as providing jobs locally.
“Works in Skerries will include the repair of sheet piling at the Eastern End of the Harbour as well as repairing the existing steps. In Balbriggan, works will provide remedial pointing to south eastern inner wall, while funds in Rush will go toward the removal of a wreck in the harbour and raising the harbour deck at the outside wall. Each of these projects will receive €125,000.
“Further funding of €16,500 has been allocated to Loughshinny to demolish the shed that is currently on the pier as well as establishing a CIL approved starboard lateral mark.
“The funding provided from the Department will be 75% of the total approved project cost for the year, while the remainder will come from Fingal County Council.
“Projects selected in Dublin North and others across the country were chosen not only based on their benefit to the infrastructure, but which were ‘shovel ready’ and likely to create much needed employment in local communities. Initial estimates from the Local Authorities suggest that in excess of 1200 man weeks of employment could be created nationally from the roll out of this programme.”
“Seaside communities in Dublin North are very proud of our harbours and we consider them to be a focal point of their landscape. This funding is a once off opportunity to identify and follow through on real improvements to the appearance and infrastructure, as well as creating employment in these areas.”