€3.1m in harbour and marine funding announced for Waterford by the Minister for the Marine, Charlie McConalogue this morning.
€2.42 million of the funding will be allocated to Dunmore East Port in addition to €680,000 under the Local Authority Scheme for marine amenities.
Commenting on the announcement, Waterford Minister of State Butler said: “This is a significant investment for Dunmore East Port which will facilitate upgrade works at the South Pier, building replacement and funding for an Industrial Effluent Pipeline.
“In addition, total funding of €680,000 has also been announced for Helvick Pier, Tramore North Pier, Cheekpoint Pier, Ballinacourty Pier, and Bunmahon Slipway under the Local Authority Scheme.
“Communities across Waterford will benefit massively from this level of investment to our marine amenities. It will bring a much-needed economic boost to rural coastal communities," Minister Butler said.
At present, there is just one port on the East Coast of the country designated as a landing port for UK vessells, and Deputy Butler said the Minister for Marine will be hoping to hear from those in the industry in Waterford next week.
“The Minister wants to hear directly from fishers and those in the fishing community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit and to hear their ideas about the future of their communities.
!This will also be a further opportunity to engage with the Minister in relation to Dunmore East being designated as a landing port for Northern Ireland and British based fishing vessels”.
“I am pleased to see such strong financial support of, and active engagement with our marine and fishing communities. Fianna Fáil, in Government is committed to serving these communities passionately” concluded Minster Butler.
