Minister Dooley announces €27.75 million funding for Harbour Fisheries Centres and public marine infrastructure

Source: the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Published March 13, 2025

The investment will modernise and improve the six state-owned Harbour Fisheries Centres and includes funding for local authorities through a marine infrastructure sub-scheme. The Harbour Fisheries Centres are located in Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth.

Stressing the importance of the investment, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, said:

“The projects included in the Harbour Fisheries Centres and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme 2025 will enhance the vital economic contribution of Ireland’s fishing sector and will play a significant role in sustaining the vitality of these coastal communities. This is great news for these important communities, and I am delighted to highlight that we are delivering on the Government Programme 2025 measure to maintain support for the fishing sector, aquaculture as well as investing in our State Harbour Fisheries Centres and public marine infrastructure.”

Speaking at the Castletownbere Harbour Fisheries Centre where the announcement was made, Minister Dooley said:

“As I stand here today in the world-class facilities in Castletownbere, and having visited Ros an Mhíl last Friday, I see that the facilities available in our Harbour Fisheries Centres play a vital role for the Irish seafood sector. The Programme for Government sets out this Government’s commitment to investing in our State Harbour Fisheries Centres and our public marine infrastructure. This continued investment demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening the fishing industry and supporting rural coastal communities.”

Approximately 87% of all fish landed in Ireland each year comes into the Harbour Fisheries Centres. In 2023, Bord Iascaigh Mhara estimated the GDP of the Irish seafood industry at €1.2 billion. Investment in public maritime infrastructure underpins the emphasis in the Food Vision 2030 on supporting primary and secondary producers to continue to make improvements in environmental, economic and social sustainability.

The projects included in the 2025 Harbour Fisheries Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme will enhance the essential economic contribution of Ireland's fishing sector and will play a significant role in sustaining the vitality of these coastal communities.

Additional projects planned this year also demonstrate the Department’s commitment to supporting the Government’s environmental and sustainability agenda at the Harbour Fisheries Centres. For example, projects such as water metering, renewable energy upgrades, and the installation of LED public lighting are being funded on an ongoing basis.

The Programme also provides for maintenance works on the North Harbour of Ringa Claire and a similar number of lights and beacons for which the Department is responsible. These structures date back to the Marine Works Act, 1902 and the Confined Areas Board.

Minister Dooley went on to say the following:

“The Harbour Fisheries Centres also cater for a variety of commercial marine enterprises, including commercial cargo operations, cruise ships, restaurants, and various water-based leisure, tourism and social activities. The 2025 programme is vital in securing funding for a diverse range of projects and builds on this Government’s commitment to rural development, building on the success of previous programmes.”

Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme

The Minister also announced the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme, which is part of the Harbour Fisheries Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme 2025. The Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for maintenance and repair works as well as supporting the development and improvement of existing harbour facilities, including a number of marine leisure developments. Under the scheme, the Department will co-fund up to 75% of the eligible costs of projects with the local authority providing the balance.

Speaking on the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme, the Minister said:

“I am delighted to announce the continuation of our programme to assist coastal local authorities in the repair and development of associated fisheries and aquaculture marine infrastructure that they own. The 2025 funding allocation of €4.3 million is the largest funding allocation for the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme in recent years, outside of the one-off funding from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve administered under Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023.”

Minister Dooley concluded the announcement by saying:

“The local authority owned harbours targeted by the 2025 programme play a vital role in the social and economic well-being of rural coastal communities. In addition to the immediate employment spin-offs during the works, this funding contributes to the ongoing development of fishing-related activities, increasing participation in maritime leisure and building on measures to attract greater numbers of tourists resulting in an environment for sustainable job creation in rural settings.”

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will administer the programme and will work closely with coastal local authorities to ensure that any approved scheme projects receive allocated funding.

END