In order to draw up a list of national coast protection priorities consultations have been held with and submissions sought from the various coastal local authorities. The submissions received identified local coast protection needs. The submission forwarded by Mayo County Council identified a large number of sites requiring attention. The cost of the works identified by Mayo County Council alone exceeds £6 million.
Under the National Development Plan it is envisaged that £5.5 million will be spent over the 1994 to 1999 period on coast protection projects with the support of Structural Funds aid. In order to maximise the return from the spending it is intended to identify priority projects for inclusion in the Department of the Marine's coast protection programme. Finalisation of a list of priority projects and the nature of the works to be undertaken is subject to further detailed discussion with the coastal local authorities and agreement of an operational programme with the Commission of the European Communities.
Among the criteria that will be applied to the final listing will be the value of the infrastructure at risk, the imminence of the risk and cost of protection works and of maintaining these works over their designed lifetime. Of particular concern will be the maintenance of local infrastructure, tourist amenities and transport links to isolated communities.