Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2022
41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the engagement he has had with the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group in 2021 and to date in 2022; if he will report on the work of the group; the number of times the group has met to date; the details of reports he has received from the Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2447/22]
View answerThe Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider. The Inter-Departmental Group has met on 3 occasions to date and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I attended the Group’s first meeting. The Group is also supported by a Technical Working Group.
During 2021, to assist and support the work of the Group, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW also engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with relevant Departments and key stakeholders to discuss the emerging work of the Group and for issues relating to coastal change management to be explored and reflected upon in the context of the particular operations of the participating organisations. The Inter-Departmental Group is due to meet again shortly to further advance the drafting and finalising of its report which will be presented to Government for their consideration.
