Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner whether it is a local authority or a private individual. Phases 1 and 2 coast protection works were carried out at Annagassan by Louth County Council in the period 1996 to 2001. Funding of €469,326 was provided by the Department towards the cost of these works.
The section of the coastline directly behind the house of the residents referred to by the Deputy and the local credit union were not included in the above mentioned phases. Earlier this year, Louth County Council submitted a proposal to the Department for the area in question, Annagassan Phase 3, at an estimated cost of €100,000. This will be considered in the context of the amount of funding available for coast protection works g generally and overall nationalpriorities.