In July 2002 my Department requested all coastal local authorities to submit proposals for coastal protection works for the period 2003-2006. 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. Given the nature and importance of this issue going forward, I decided that we need to develop a more strategic approach to the whole issue of coastal protection. To inform that approach, I have allocated a half a million euros to a major coastal protection strategy study. The study will address the nature and extent of erosion at various locations and different types of coastline in Ireland and seek to identify the most effective means, technically, financially and environmentally, in responding to particular instances and types of erosion. 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.
