Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 3

Written Answers. - Coastal Protection.

Ivor Callely

Question:

166 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the policy, if any, he has to address coastal erosion; the measures, if any, that have been taken to date to address this matter; if he has satisfied himself that these measures have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

The policy of the Department of the Marine is to facilitate the implementation of permanent protection schemes, where warrented, to prevent progressive erosion by the sea. However, primary responsibility for coastal erosion rests with local coastal authorities.

There are limited funds available to the Department of the Marine to deal with the huge problem of coastal erosion. An amount of £200,000 was allocated in 1993. These funds are earmarked for advancing existing schemes such as the one at Rosslare and maintenance of former Office of Public Works schemes.

The Department has been successful in securing funding for coastal protection measures under NORSPA and LIFE Council Regulations. The funding has been obtained by way of a joint project involving the Department of the Marine, EOLAS and the local authorities for Wexford, Waterford, Kerry and Clare. The project title is Environmentally Friendly Coast Protection (ECOPRO). A total of 900,000 ECU in grant aid is provided for over a two and a half year period. The objectives of the project are, (i) to assess the vulnerability of the coast to changes (including erosion), (ii) to consider needs for protection (both now and in the near future), (iii) to examine the performance and environmental impact of existing coastal protection works including a demonstration project.

In order to formulate a programme of coastal protection works for the next few years, the Department of the Marine wrote to all maritime local authorities in 1991 requesting them to submit a list of priorities for coastal protection projects which they consider would be warranted and feasible and for which they are prepared to make funds available.

Drawing,inter alia, on the submissions received from the various coastal authorities, plans for a comprehensive coastal protection programme have been drawn up in the context of the allocation of the next round of Sructural Funds. Decisions have yet to be made by the Government on the priority and funding to be attached to this programme.