Michael McDowell
Question:300 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for the Marine the assistance, if any, that is available to owners of properties in County Wexford that are threatened by coastal erosion. [11433/96]
Written Answers. - Coastal Protection.
Primary responsibility for coastal protection lies with the property owner, whether that is a local authority or a private individual or group. The Department of the Marine's role is to work in conjunction with local authorities on the management of the coastal zone rather than individual sites.
The funding available to the Department of the Marine under the Environmental Services Operational Programme 1994-99 to address the erosion problem around the coast is £5.2 million. This funding will only be made available for works designed primarily to protect publicly owned property. Unfortunately, no funding is available for the direct protection of private property.