Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004
244 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he received responses from each coastal local authority to his request in July 2002 for their proposals for coastal protection work for the period 2003-06; the budget that has been allocated to such works; the role his Department is taking in organising coastal protection in view of the concerns regarding climate change and rising sea levels (details supplied). [19553/04]
View answerResponsibility 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 for coastal protection works for the period 2003-06. In all, 195 proposals with an estimated total cost of over €120 million were submitted from all of the coastal local authorities.
Under the coast protection measure of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, €52.01 million is identified. Expenditure under this measure in 2003 was €2.9 million and an allocation of €780,000 for the coastal protection programme has been made available to my Department for this year.
I have allocated €500,000 this year to a major coastal protection strategy study which my Department commenced in 2002. The study is addressing the nature and extent of erosion at various locations and different types of coastline in Ireland and seeking to identify the most effective means, technically, financially and environmentally, in responding to particular instances and types of erosion. Last year, expenditure on the study focused on an aerial survey of the Irish coastline using oblique digital video photography. The purpose of the survey was to obtain a comprehensive and up to date record of the present coastal erosion situation around the entire coastline of Ireland in order to facilitate the identification of priority areas for future expenditure. The completed survey also provides a useful baseline for the preparation and commissioning of future surveys. It is expected that when this study is completed a more targeted approach to programme delivery will result and will enable a greater level of efficiency in responding to coastal erosion change around the country.
I can confirm that Dublin City Council submitted proposals to my Department for funding costing in the region of €28.15 million. The council undertook a coastal zone risk assessment study during 2003, towards which my Department contributed €80,000.
The question of providing funding for coast protection works in the post-2004 period will depend on the outcome of the coast protection strategy study, the amount of Exchequer funding available for such works and overall national priorities.
