Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring has welcomed the announcement of funding to a number of harbours in County Mayo under the Harbours Scheme from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Minister Ring said: “I have been informed that an allocation of €112,500 has been allocated to Kilcummin Harbour, €111,750 to Purteen Harbour, and €112,500 to Ballina Harbour.” In total, €336,750 has been allocated to County Mayo”.
“This scheme works in conjunction with the local authority. This is a welcome announcement as this funding will help preserve and maintain a number of our harbours,” concluded Minister Ring.
Deputy Michelle Mulherin also welcomed the news, saying: “The funding will be used for much-needed improvement works at each location. In Kilcummin planned works include the development of a slipway and turning area, the repair and construction of a breakwater, and the construction of a car park. The beneficiaries include users of fishing and leisure craft, the Irish Coast Guard, and the Gráinne Úaile Sub Aqua Club. At Purteen the money will be spent on the reconstruction of pier walls, while in Ballina navigation aids on the approach to the harbour are to be replaced, along with the creation of additional moorings and the regulation of existing haphazard ones.
“I have been lobbying Minister Coveney for some time to provide funding for projects in Mayo and I am delighted with his decision. The improvement works will be extremely beneficial to the localities concerned and to the wider community of sea users. Additionally, projects of this size and scope generate significant potential opportunities for businesses, resulting in work for local people.
“In addition to traditional activities such as fishing and fish farming, there are huge opportunities in the marine leisure and tourism sectors. The improvement works just announced will boost those sectors across Mayo and I will continue to do what I can to ensure that projects across the county get their fair share of funding.”
