Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
396. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the serious coastal erosion occurring in Portrane, County Dublin; and if he will make provision under the Coastal Protection Fund for emergency measures to protect the dunes to be implemented. [47581/12]
View answer397. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be allocated and works carried out by the Office of Public Works and or other relevant bodies, as a matter of urgency towards emergency coastal protection measures at the Burrow, Portrane, County Dublin in view of the rapid dune erosion in recent days and the imminent risk not only to family homes and business' but to public property, namely the coastal beach walkway, public toilets, and public roads; if the concerns and worries of local residents who fear losing their homes to erosion can be sympathetically addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47563/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) administers the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme as part of its flood risk management responsibilities. This scheme provides funding to local authorities to undertake measures to alleviate localised flooding and coastal flooding or erosion problems within their administrative areas. There is no separate Coastal Protection Fund. It would be open to Fingal County Council to submit an application under the scheme for measures to address the erosion problems at Portrane. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. Application forms and related guidelines are available on the OPW website.
