Funds to help regions 'adjust' to Brexit will be used to fund major improvements at 14 harbours across West Cork it was announced earlier this week.
As Afloat reported earlier, the grant is the largest ever funding announcement of its kind for local authority marine infrastructure for piers and harbours right around Ireland's coast.
As a result, many West Cork piers, slipways and pontoons are set to undergo major improvements with 14 out of 15 projects submitted getting green-lit for funds from the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023.
The funding will go into marine amenities in Kinsale, Courtmacsherry, Glengarriff, Baltimore and some other areas too.
Minister Charlie McConalogue T.D.announced the approval of €32.7m in funding for 110 projects around the Irish coast (see table below) which will fund projects worth over €40m in total. The scheme is proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
Cork South West Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan said it was a very welcome boost for the harbours that will see investment that will benefit all who use them. "I’ve consistently said west Cork’s potential in terms of marine activities is completely untapped," Deputy O’Sullivan told media.
"A way of accessing that is by funding and improving our small piers and harbours, the provision of extra pontoons and more. This will benefit the inshore fishing sector and marine activities such as boat tours, whale watching and kayaking", he said.
Brexit Adjustment: West Cork's Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023
- Kinsale - Fisherman's pontoon €1,291,492
- Courtmacsherry - dredging for the reinstallation of the pontoon. €552,000
- Baltimore - Safety improvement works €170,000
- Laheratanvally pier - €202,000
- Turk Head pier - remedial works to pier deck €82,429
- Kinsale Slipways - improvement to various slips €179,254
- Glengarriff - dredging works €212,500
- Cunnamore pier - various works including storage area, handrails, signage, line marking - €90,607
- Glandore Pier - safety improvement works - €84,487, repair to the existing slipway, a new concrete section at toe €68,406
Download the full Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023 here