Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 3

Written Answers. - Coastal Erosion.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

151 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to deal with the escalating problem of coastal erosion in County Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to a possible threat to the railway line at Kilrane, County Wexford arising from this problem; the status of proposals to counter this prob lem; when it is intended to implement these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3293/02]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

Primary responsibility for coastal protection works rests with the property owner which in the case of the railway line at Kilrane is Iarnród Éireann.

In 2001, my Department provided the following amounts in grant aid towards the total cost of coast protection schemes in County Wexford:

Location	Project	Total Cost €	DOMNRcontribution€
Courtown	Revetment Works	115,866.24	86,899.68
Cullenstown	Revetment Works & Training Walls	914,150.47	685,612.85
Rosslare Strand	Study of Nth end of spit	69,332.78	51,999.58
Rosslare Strand	Maintenance	22,771.48	22,771.48
Rosslare Strand	Revetment Works	95,230.36	71,422.77

In October 2001, my Department wrote to all coastal local authorities requesting proposals, in order of priority, for consideration in the context of the 2002 coastal protection programme. Wexford County Council has submitted ten proposals for coastal protection works in the county. The question of funding coastal protection works in County Wexford in 2002 is being considered in the context of the funding available for such works and overall national priorities.