Primary responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner, whether it be a local authority or a private individual. The priority is to safeguard human life and protect public property, including roads and other public infrastructures and amenities. My Department has no funding available for the protection of private property.
In July 2002 the Department invited all coastal local authorities to submit proposals, in order of priority, for consideration in the 2003-06 period. All proposals received are carefully examined in the Department in accordance with priority criteria as follows: protect public safety, public property or infrastructure; protect areas of socio-economic, tourism or recreational importance; support the economic development or increase the economic potential of coastal regions; provide essential protection for areas or features of environmental or heritage significance; and avert the need for costly remedial works at a later stage.