John O'Donoghue
Question:126 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for the Marine whether he will make funds available for coastal protection works at Cromane, Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24880/96]
Written Answers. - Coastal Protection Works.
John O'Donoghue
Question:127 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for the Marine whether he will make funds available for coastal protection works at Rossbeigh, Glenbeigh, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24881/96]
John O'Donoghue
Question:128 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for the Marine whether he will make funds available for coastal protection works at Gallarus, Ballydavid, Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24882/96]
John O'Donoghue
Question:129 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for the Marine whether he will make funds available for coastal protection works at Callinafercy, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24883/96]
John O'Donoghue
Question:130 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for the Marine whether he will make funds available for coastal protection works at Waterville, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24884/96]
I propose answering Questions Nos. 126, 127, 128, 129 and 130 together.
At the request of the Department of the Marine, Kerry County Council has submitted details of its top four coastal protection priorities for consideration for aid under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994 through 1999. Kerry County Council submitted proposals in respect of the following locations listed in order of priority: 1. Waterville; 2. Maharees; 3. Ballybunion; and 4. Rossbeigh.
I am pleased to inform you that two of these projects, Waterville and Maharees, received grant aid for protection works in 1995 and I approved a further grant for protection works at Waterville in 1996.
I am sure the Deputy will understand that as the funding under the programme is limited to £5.1 million over the 1994 through 1999 period it is only possible to grant aid a limited number of projects in any one year.
In relation to the other priority locations identified by the council I am not in a position to allocate any funding at present. However, the situation will be reviewed annually between now and the end of the programme in 1999.
The Deputy has also asked about Cromane, Gallarus and Callinafercy, County Kerry. Given the limited amount of funding available for coastal protection and the fact that none of these locations are on Kerry County Council's priority list, it is unlikely that any of these projects will be aided. That being said, if the local community in conjunction with Kerry County Council wish to undertake any protection works directly, I will give favourable consideration to the granting of any appropriate foreshore permissions for such works.