Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
672. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he anticipates additional resources will be allocated to his Department to address the backlog of foreshore licence applications; the length of time before the backlog is cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20709/22]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 267 of 7 April 2022 which set out the approach to processing foreshore licence applications for site investigations linked to the proposed development of offshore renewable energy projects and the work currently underway to establish a new consenting regime in the maritime area under the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021.
The foreshore section of my Department is continuing to make progress on many foreshore consent applications related to strategically important projects and developments, such as telecommunications and interconnector cables, port development, water infrastructure and local authority infrastructure and works. Several foreshore licence applications for site investigation activities linked to "relevant projects" or Phase 1 offshore renewable energy projects, which qualify to make an application to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications for a Maritime Area Consent as part of the transition provisions in the MAP Act 2021 are also expected to be concluded in the next few weeks. Details of these applications and determinations can be viewed on my Department's website www.housing.gov.ie
My Department continues to engage with an existing external panel of technical advisors and is harnessing ecological expertise available across the wider Department to ensure that foreshore consent applications can be progressed and assessed robustly in accordance with the requirements. Foreshore consent applications will continue to be progressed in accordance with an established prioritisation framework and national policy. I will continue to keep the situation under review.
