Jimmy Deenihan
Question:6 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Marine if Kerry County Council has submitted a proposal for coast protection work at Ballybunion, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Written Answers. - Kerry Coast Protection Work.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:7 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Marine if Kerry County Council has submitted a proposal for coast protection work at the Sand Dunes, Beale, County Kerry on the Shannon Estuary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose answering Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
The Department of the Marine, in order to draw up a national coastal protection plan, invited all maritime local authorities to submit proposals for addressing serious erosion problems in their areas. Kerry County Council has identified a number of locations requiring attention, including Beale, where the council has proposed a rock armouring scheme costing in excess of £3 million and Ballybunion where a £1.3 million rock armouring scheme has been proposed.
All the proposals currently with the Department of the Marine are being examined with a view to their possible inclusion in the plan. However, the cost of the proposals submitted far exceeds the moneys available for this purpose under the national plan. As a result, the Department of the Marine will only be able to grant-aid local authorities in respect of the most urgent coastal erosion problems proposed, having regard to economic, environmental and ecological impacts. Further consultation with local authorities will be required before a list of urgent coastal erosion projects for inclusion in the plan is finalised.