Hugh Byrne
Question:35 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to tackle the problem of coastal erosion at Rosslare and Cullenstown in County Wexford. [6876/95]
Written Answers. - County Wexford Coast Protection.
In late November 1994, the Department of the Marine wrote to all maritime local authorities inviting them to submit details of their top four priority coast protection projects. The local authorities were advised that any projects submitted must be seen to support rural development, tourism, environmental protection or other activities which will contribute to increasing the economic potential of coastal regions. In line with this a cost-benefit type appraisal of projects was also requested. No funding will be available in respect of projects whose capital and maintenance costs over the life of the project are greater than the economic value of the benefits arising.
The majority of submissions from local authorities have now been received and these are being assessed by the Department. It is likely that additional information on the proposals submitted will be required in order to draw up a list of national priorities. Future projects to be undertaken by or grant aided by the Department will be chosen from the submissions received. That being said, no guarantee can be given that every maritime local authority area will benefit under the programme to be drawn up by the Department.
Wexford County Council has included Cullenstown on its list of priorities after Courtown. An initial examination of this proposal would seem to indicate that a training wall and rock groyne may be effective in addressing the problem at Cullenstown. However, a more detailed study would have to be undertaken in conjunction with the council in order to establish what works would be effective and at what cost. In any event Cullenstown will be given every consideration for inclusion in the final programme to be drawn up by the Department.
In relation to Rosslare Strand, the Department of the Marine in conjunction with Wexford County Council, has undertaken a major protection scheme at the strand over the last three years, at a cost of approximately £1.5 million. The project, which is being completed this year, involves the construction and extension of rock groynes and the provision of beach nourishment material. This work formed part of an EU sponsored project entitled ECOPRO (Environmentally Friendly Coast Protection). The work undertaken to-date is being monitored regularly and appears to be highly successful at reducing the erosion. It is hoped that the scheme will provide a long term solution to the erosion of Rosslare Strand. An additional £80,000 will be spent on the scheme this year to allow for the extension, topping and reshaping of groynes and the provision of protection at the Back Strand.