Over €2.5million for investment in Public Marine Infrastructure in Louth
Louth has been awarded an additional €2,562,013 in funding for post Brexit investment in Public Marine infrastructure throughout the county.
A number of Louth projects received additional funding on top of funding previously announced totalling €605,931 overall.
The new funding will cover 95% of the cost of all projects and breaks down as follows:
- Port Oriel/Clogherhead Harbour - Waste and Recycling Area- €193,007
- Port Oriel/Clogherhead - Dredging Dredging to original levels -€1,242,127
- Port Oriel/Clogherhead - dredging inner harbour/dock Remove waste and sludge from inner harbour/dock. - €19,948
- Port Oriel/Clogherhead - access restrictions Bollards to restrict access for safety -€11,861
- Port Oriel/Clogherhead - lighting at inner dock Relocate existing lights at the dock and upgrade to LED lights -€37,307
- Port Oriel/Clogherhead - additional piles Provide additional piles -€113,216
- Port Oriel/clogherhead - winchhouse and winches Install an electrically powered winch - €175,755
- Port Oriel/Clogherhead - accessibility upgrade / ladders and wall extension Safety works - €51,756
- Anagassan Port - Dredging Dredging of port - €717,036
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, announced the approval of the second tranche of the Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme (BALAMI) 2022 – 2023, bringing total funding for the Scheme to €55.3m for 164 projects around the Irish coast.
Additional funding for 19 previously approved projects which had requested additional funding in light of cost increases, and raised the rate of funding provided for all projects to 95%.
Projects that received additional funding included (figures represent total amounts):
- Port Oriel Water & Electrical upgrade Upgrade power, lights and water systems -€194,994
- Port Oriel Pier Remedial and safety works to concrete pier landing area -€58,589
- Port Oriel Accessibility Upgrade Safety works - €139,928
- Annagassan Port Safety General maintenance works - €170,366
- Annagassan Port Crane Installation Crane installation - €42,054
Commenting on the increased scheme contribution the Minister stated:
“It is vital that this capital injection delivers benefits to our coastal rural communities especially with the current challenging economic environment.
“To best provide for project delivery I considered it prudent to confer additional funding to projects that have been impacted by higher-than-expected construction costs and to increase the scheme contribution thus reducing the local authority contribution.
“This second call returned an equally impressive number of applications. I now ask the local authorities to prioritise delivery on all projects so that this important economic stimulus can be delivered. The BAR funding is only available until the end of 2023 and this is a unique opportunity to reinvigorate our public marine infrastructure.”
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. Post Brexit regeneration has been identified by the Seafood Taskforce as a key enabler for offsetting the implications of Brexit on the Irish fishing industry.
This Scheme is designed to support economic sectors, businesses and local communities and to support job creation and protection by distributing Brexit Adjustment Reserve funds to enhance, upgrade, modernise and develop Ireland’s publicly owned coastal and marine infrastructure to facilitate diversification of economic opportunities.
The Minister added that:
“This funding will support local authorities to rejuvenate Ireland’s coastal and marine infrastructure specifically to address the economic consequences of Brexit arising from the implications to the Irish fishing industry.
“Again, I must acknowledge the co-operation and engagement between local authorities, coastal communities and political representatives to make this happen.”
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.