Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 May 2018
456. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or its agencies has carried out or is conducting an analysis of significant shoreline changes such as sand removal from major beaches and seaside resorts due to severe winters and storms. [20976/18]
View answer457. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the national or EU funding programmes available to local authorities for beach nourishment projects and similar works to address significant shoreline erosion affecting seaside resorts. [20977/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together.
My Department is responsible for the management, control and operation of the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros an Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.
The management and maintenance of beaches is a matter for the relevant Local Authority and their ultimate parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Responsibility for coastal erosion and changes to the coastline from weather events comes under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW).
My Department does provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. The matters raised by the Deputy do not come under the Terms of Reference of this programme.
