Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Coastal Erosion.

Hugh Byrne

Question:

965 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the damage being caused by coastal erosion at Rose Hill, Rosslare, County Wexford; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that a plan has been submitted to his Department by Wexford County Council; if he will sanction such a plan and put the funds in place in 1996 to halt the devastation of the sea in order to protect homes and property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15237/96]

Hugh Byrne

Question:

966 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the damage being caused by coastal erosion at Curracloe, County Wexford; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that a plan has been submitted to his Department by Wexford County Council; if he will sanction such a plan and put the funds in place in 1996 to halt the devastation of the sea in order to protect homes and property. [15238/96]

Hugh Byrne

Question:

967 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the damage being caused by coastal erosion at Cahore, County Wexford; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that a plan has been submitted to his Department by Wexford County Council; if he will sanction such a plan and put the funds in place in 1996 to halt the devastation of the sea in order to protect homes and property. [15239/96]

Hugh Byrne

Question:

968 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the damage being caused by coastal erosion at Ballyconigas, County Wexford; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that a plan has been submitted to his Department by Wexford County Council; and if he will sanction such a plan and put the funds in place in 1996 to halt the devastation of the sea in order to protect homes and property. [15240/96]

Hugh Byrne

Question:

969 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the damage being caused by coastal erosion at Morriscastle, County Wexford; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that a plan has been submitted to his Department by Wexford County Council; if he will sanction such a plan and put the funds in place in 1996 to halt the devastation of the sea in order to protect homes and property. [15241/96]

Hugh Byrne

Question:

971 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the excessive damage being caused to the coastline at Courtown, County Wexford and that it will cost approximately £2 million to correct this situation; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that £100,000 offered to Wexford County Council is being used at Courtown in spite of the many other demands; his views on whether such sums are far too small in view of the progressive nature of this problem and that a properly fully funded scheme should be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15243/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I propose answering Questions Nos. 965, 966, 967, 968, 969 and 971 together.

I am aware from the submissions received from Wexford County Council of the erosion problems at the various locations identified by the Deputy. Indeed, I visited a number of them earlier this year to see the situation for myself.

As the Deputy will be aware, the funding available for coastal protection works is limited to approximately £1 million per annum. Realistically this only allows a limited number of small schemes to be completed in any one year. The funding available in 1996 has been allocated to a variety of schemes with a wide geographic spread. Included in the 1996 programme is provision for the undertaking of a £100,000 protection scheme at Courtown. I am aware that the consultancy study of the erosion problem at Courtown, which was aided by my Department, has indicated that the long-term solution to the problem would require an investment level of some £2 million on offshore breakwaters. Funding for such a large-scale project is not currently available nor is it likely in the immediate future given present funding allocations. However, given the level of damage inflicted to the dunes at Courtown during last winter's storms it is considered essential that emergency remedial works be undertaken this year.

Wexford County Council is of the opinion that Courtown, despite the problems at other locations in the county, should be addressed as a priority. These protection works will help stabilise the situation at Courtown pending the securing of funds for undertaking a longer term solution.

As I said earlier, I am aware of the problems being encountered at other locations in County Wexford and the council's priority proposals for protection works at these locations will be considered on an annual basis, having regard to the funding available, over the remaining years of the environmental services operational programme.

Hugh Byrne

Question:

970 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the loss of property due to coastal erosion at Cullenstown, County Wexford; if his attention has further been drawn to the proximity of the coastline to houses and properties, mainly homes of local people; if his attention has further been drawn to the plan proposed by Wexford County Council; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact funding is in place and that in spite of having a plan, money and a contractor, the work has been delayed by a spurious objection by an individual; if he will now order the commencement of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15242/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

As previously indicated in reply to a parliamentary question on this subject on 23 April 1996, Wexford County Council has sought a foreshore lease to carry out coast protection works at Cullenstown, County Wexford. Following publication of this proposal, two objections were received, one being from the National Parks and Wildlife Service in exercise of their functions under the Wildlife Act. As soon as Wexford County Council has responded to these objections, I will be only too pleased to deal with the matter.