asked the Minister for Finance if any funds will become available from any EEC source for coastal protection schemes.
501.
Written Answers. - Coast Protection Schemes.
500.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications for coastal protection schemes awaiting planning in his Department.
502.
asked the Minister for Finance the cost of implementing the planned coastal protection scheme in his Department
503.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of coastal protection schemes carried out by the Office of Public Works in each of the last three years; and the cost of each scheme.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, it is proposed to take Questions Nos. 500, 501, 502 and 503 together. Under the Coast Protection Act, 1963, four coast protection schemes have been completed in the last three years, viz. (1) The Murrough, County Wicklow, in 1970-71 at a cost of £32,000 approximately, (2) Youghal, County Cork in 1970-73 at a cost of £155,000 approximately, (3) Moville, County Donegal in 1971-72 at a cost of £34,000 approximately, and (4) Strandhill, County Sligo in 1972-73 at a cost of £23,000 approximately. A coast protection scheme at Rossnowlagh, County Donegal, which was commenced in March, 1973, is in progress.
Forty proposals are awaiting investigation under the Act. It is not possible to give the total cost of implementing the proposals received. A statutory preliminary examination of each proposals requires to be made to see if it comes within the terms of the Act. The factors contributing to an erosion problem vary from place to place, and detailed investigation is necessary to determine the form and content of protection which would be most effective in each particular case.
At this stage it is not known if funds for coastal protection schemes will become available from any EEC source but the situation will, of course, be kept under observation.