I am advised that, in the first instance, the management of problems of coastal protection in the area indicated remains a matter for Sligo County Council. The Council may carry out coastal protection works using its own resources, but where necessary, the Council may also put forward proposals to the relevant central Government Departments, including the OPW, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
Since 2000, funding of €349,000 has been approved, under the Office of Public Works’ (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, for works on a number of coastal projects at Strandhill.
Furthermore, following the severe storms of Winter 2013/2014 and on foot of submissions made by the Sligo County Council, additional funding of €291,210 was allocated by the OPW to Sligo County Council for the repair of damaged coastal protection infrastructure. The Council has confirmed that the repairs to the rock armour revetment at the waste water treatment plant and works on the south side revetments in Strandhill were carried out using this funding. This, however, was a once-off allocation and no further funding is available under this stream.
It remains open to Sligo County Council, however, to apply for funding under the Office of Public Works’ (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, under which applications for funding from Local Authorities are considered for measures costing not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for projects that meet the eligibility criteria, including a requirement that the proposed measures are cost beneficial.
