Minister Cummins welcomes €600k funding for five Waterford marine infrastructure projects

Minister of State for Planning & Local Government, John Cummins TD has welcomed the announcement of €601,193 for five Waterford projects under the 2026 Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD has announced that a €4.8million fund will support the delivery of 57 Local Authority marine infrastructure projects nationwide.

Over the past five years, this scheme has supported 161 projects with a combined investment of over €59million. The annual scheme supports capital investment in coastal infrastructure owned by local authorities, including pier and harbour repairs, slipway upgrades, safety enhancements and the development of marine leisure amenities.

Five Waterford projects have been awarded funding under the latest round:

• €187,500 for the repair of the slipway at the Dungarvan Harbour Wall.

• €187,500 for sea wall repair in Abbeyside.

• €120,000 for access ladders and a lifting hoist at Boatstrand Harbour.

• €56,182.50 for sea wall repair in Ardmore.

• €50,010.94 for ladders and concrete repairs at Helvick Pier.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Cummins said: “This is great news for our coastal communities across County Waterford. This funding will be a huge boost to the various areas and the allocation granted to these five local projects is the largest in the country. I’d like to thank Minister Heydon for delivering this funding, having visited Waterford recently where we discussed these projects with our Fine Gael team of councillors.”

Under the scheme, the Department will co-fund up to 75% of eligible project costs, subject to a maximum grant of €187,500 per project, with the balance then provided by the respective local authorities. The total cost of the five Waterford projects is anticipated to be in the region of €850,000.

Minister Cummins concluded: “These projects will bring meaningful and lasting improvements to our essential marine infrastructure, helping to strengthen and support our fishing and aquaculture industries while also enhancing facilities and amenities for tourism, leisure and recreational purposes. Investment of this kind is critically important in maintaining the long-term sustainability and growth of economic activity across our coastal areas, ensuring they continue to thrive and develop into the future.”