€540,000 funding for piers and harbours

€540,000 funding for piers and harbours

Ciara Galvin 

Piers and harbours in Mayo have received government funding of €540,000 for their repair and ongoing maintenance. The allocation, by the Department of Agriculture and the Marine, under the 2014 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development project, is in addition to the storm damage funding which was granted earlier in the year. A fund of €112,500 has been allocated to Mayo County Council to each of four harbours at Newport Quay, Bundorragha (near Leenane), Killala and Ballina harbours, with €90,000 for Killerduff Harbour near Ballycastle. The funding announcement comes on top of a grant in February for the repair of Mayo piers and harbours that were badly damaged during the storms last winter. Repair work will take place shortly at each location and Mayo County Council Director of Services Martin Keating told The Mayo News that the council expects the works to be complete by November. The work at Newport Quay will involve repairs following storm damage late last year. Newport Quay did not receive funding under the the envelope which was announced in February for repairs following the damage. Works on the other chosen sites will involve the upgrading of existing piers. The funding was strongly welcomed by Minister of State Michael Ring, who said it was indicative of the Government’s commitment to maintaining and preserving piers and harbours. Speaking about the latest funding announcement, Deputy Michelle Mulherin said the funding for repairs and maintenance was ‘crucial’ for ensuring the piers and harbours’ ‘sustainability’. “Our local fishing industry depends so much on this infrastructure,” added the Deputy, following last week’s announcement.