Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, and Minister of State Timmy Dooley TD announced a €27 million investment in Ireland’s publicly-owned fishery harbours under the 2026 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. The funding aims to support capital projects that modernize, develop, and enhance the sustainability of the country’s six state-owned fishery harbour centres, improving safety, operational efficiency, environmental performance, and climate resilience.
Minister Heydon highlighted that the programme represents a major government investment in harbour infrastructure, ensuring that facilities meet current and future operational demands. Minister Dooley emphasized the programme’s role in supporting Ireland’s fishing, seafood, and wider maritime sectors, noting that resilient and modern harbours are essential for sustaining economic activity in coastal communities and addressing climate-related challenges.
The programme includes the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme, which provides funding for capital projects such as pier repairs, slipway upgrades, safety improvements, and enhancements to marine leisure facilities. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine co-funds up to 75% of eligible project costs, with the local authority contributing the remaining balance. For 2026, the scheme allocates €4.3 million, matching the previous year’s funding that successfully supported 51 local projects.
The Department will oversee the administration of the programme, working closely with coastal local authorities to ensure timely allocation of funds to approved projects. Overall, the investment underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining and improving Ireland’s fishery harbours and public marine infrastructure, strengthening the inshore fishing sector, aquaculture, and coastal economic activity while enhancing environmental and climate resilience.
