€7 million that has been approved for harbour repair projects is being held back because of Government constraints, Fianna Fáil has confirmed.

Spokesperson on Agriculture Éamon Ó Cuív TD said the constraints could risk the completion of certain projects.

The Department of Agriculture and the Marine has stipulated that the repairs must be completed and the money drawn down by the end of this year.

-- Advertisement --

Deputy Ó Cuív commented: "I am extremely concerned that the €7m, which was earmarked for harbour repair work, is being put in jeopardy because of the extremely tight timescales laid down by the Department.

"The money for the repair work was only approved at the end of March, yet the Minister expects all work to be completed and inspected by the end of this month.

"Each local authority is expected to fund the repair process itself, and can only claim it back once the project has been inspected by an engineer from the Department.

"The refusal of Minister Simon Coveney to implement a pre-payment scheme for the works, similar to that operated by the OPW, has put many local authorities under financial pressure in order to meet the strict deadlines."

(CD/JP)