Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 7

Written Answers. - Coastal Erosion.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

116 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he will bring forward measures at national or EU level to tackle the mounting problem of coastal erosion in the South East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16988/97]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

Funding of some £5.1 million is available for coastal protection works under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994-99. The Deputy will appreciate that, with this level of resources, it is not possible to meet all the demands from maritime counties for protection schemes. Every effort is made, nonetheless, to address particular priorities while ensuring a reasonable geographical distribution of the available funds. The South East has benefitted considerably from the available funding.

Last year, support was provided towards emergency works at Cunnigar and Tramore, County Waterford and studies of the erosion problem at these sites. Following those studies, I have approved a scheme at Tramore which will cost £150,000.

Considerable funds have also been made available in County Wexford over the past few years. Funding for a £100,000 rock revetment at Courtown has been provided and a major scheme, costing some £1.5 million, has been completed at Rosslare Strand.

In the case of County Wicklow, a major beach nourishment scheme is planned at Bray and will cost in the region of £2.5 million. Aid was also made available to Wicklow County Council during 1996 to undertake a beach and dune management scheme at Brittas Bay.

I am conscious of the need for sustained investment in coastal protection within a framework of an overall policy on coastal zone management, and I am addressing the issues involved. The Deputy can be assured that the requirements of the South East will continue to be taken into account fully in that context.