Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2014
24. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding that he will be making available for both emergency works, as a result of recent damage, and a more sustainable, long-term solution to tackle the serious problem of coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2693/14]
View answerThe investigation and addressing of coastal protection problems are matters for the Local Authorities concerned in the first instance. It is open to the Local Authorities to apply for funding to deal with coastal protection under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.
OPW wrote on 10th January, 2014 to City and County Managers in coastal areas indicating that it will accept applications under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to assist with repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the recent storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre storm condition. The specific application form for this entitled Coastal Storm Damage Flooding Questionnaire 2014 is available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the local authorities.
It is not possible at this point to say what amount of funding will be made available to assist Local Authorities in dealing with the storm damage to coastal protection structures. This will depend on the submissions received and the assessment of those submissions. Applications approved for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme will be funded from OPW's overall Flood Risk Management capital allocation, which for 2014 is €44.2m. It is also open to Local Authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using their own resources.
Coastal erosion is a natural and ongoing process and needs to be considered in a holistic way as its impact can vary greatly in different locations and over time. It only becomes a problem when it threatens human life, infrastructure and properties. The Government recognises this and is taking active measures to assess and monitor the risks of coastal erosion. The Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) is a major examination to assess and identify the most significant areas of erosion risk for the entire national coastline. This major study is effectively complete and it will provide invaluable and essential information required to inform policy in this area going forward particularly for Local Authorities in relation to the proper planning and development of coastal areas.
