asked the Minister for Finance if, and when, he received an application from Meath County Council for assistance to carry out works at Laytown, Bettystown, and Mornington, County Meath, under the Coast Protection Acts; and, if so, the nature and costs of the proposed works, the length of time they will take to execute, the number of persons likely to be employed, if a national priority list exists in relation to such works, and if so, the place these proposals have on this list, the extent of the financial assistance likely to be made available to Meath County Council by his Department, and when the works are likely to be carried out.
Written Answers. - Meath Coast Protection.
158.
The Meath County Council lodged with the Commissioners of Public Works on 16 November 1978 an application for a coast protection scheme at the areas mentioned. A large number of applications from local authorities for coast protection works have been received. A national priority list for coast protection works does not exist. Because of the protracted investigations required for coast protection proposals, and the limited staff available, it is not possible to say at this stage when the application from Meath County Council will be reached to enable the preliminary engineering examination of the problem to be carried out. Accordingly it is not possible to give any information as regards feasibility, cost, duration, or employment content of the necessary works or the financial contribution that would be expected from the Meath County Council towards the works.