The need for coastal protection is not related to the length of coastline in any particular county but to the nature of the coastline. Soft coastlines, such as those found on the east and south east coast, are at considerably greater risk of erosion than harder coastlines found elsewhere. The length of the coastline of mainland County Cork, as measured by the high water mark line, is estimated to be 1,400 km. approximately. However, the amount of coastline which would be at risk from erosion would be substantially smaller due to the varying nature of the coastline.
My Department provided funding of €494,438.83 and €184,310.81 to Cork County Council in 2002 and 2003, respectively, towards coast protection works in County Cork. The 2002 works resulted in the protection of 578 m of coastline. Louth County Council was in receipt of €813,571.39 and €287,366.25 from my Department in 2002 and 2003, respectively, towards a number of projects in County Louth. The 2002 works resulted in the protection of 1,473 m of coastline. The length of coastline protected under the 2003 works is not yet available. To date in 2004 there has been no allocation of funding to either county.