Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner whether it be a local authority or a private individual. In July 2002 my Department requested all coastal local authorities to submit proposals, in order of priority, for consideration in the context of the 2003-2006 national coast protection programmes. Waterford County Council submitted two proposals for coast protection works at Ballyvoile, which includes Knockyoolihan, estimated at €1.1 million for phase 1 and €930,000 for phase 2. There was no Exchequer funding for these projects in 2003. My Department has an Exchequer funding allocation of €780,000 for the entire country for 2004.
The question of funding these proposals in the post 2004 period will be considered in the context of the Exchequer funding available for coast protection works going forward and overall national priorities.