Vol. 465 No. 2
140 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine when moneys for coastal erosion will be allocated for 1996; and if he will make a statement on the level of priority that a county with serious coastal erosion problems, such as County Donegal, can expect to receive. [9350/96]
The moneys available to my Department this year for undertaking coastal protection works will be fully utilised on carry-over works and already approved works.
I am aware of the erosion problems being experienced by many coastal local authorities. Priority proposals have been submitted to my Department and they will be considered over the life of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services which provides for an investment of £5.1 million over the 1994-99 period. Obviously the funding in any one year is limited and, therefore, it is not possible to undertake works in every coastal area in each year. To date no works have been undertaken in County Donegal. However, Donegal will continue to be considered in future years of the Operational Programme.
