The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for planning and development policy and matters pertaining to the foreshore. Consideration of individual development proposals is a matter for the relevant Planning Authority.
Reference is made by the Deputy to a class of exempted development (Class 54) provided for in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2023 which states
‘ Reclamation of an area, not exceeding 100 square metres, of foreshore for the purpose of protecting a pier, slipway or other structure on the foreshore.’
It is a matter for a property owner to be satisfied that they are fully compliant with the requirements of the regulation quoted including having the necessary legal ownership of the area in question. However under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act a person can seek a declaration from their local Planning Authority or in certain circumstances An Bord Pleanála as to whether proposed works are development or are exempted development.
Local flooding and coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. The Local Authorities may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources. If necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant Government Departments for funding of appropriate measures.
To assist Local Authorities in managing the coastline for coastal erosion, the OPW has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) and the results of this study have been published on the OPW website floodinfo.ie. This data enables Local Authorities to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme (the “Minor Works Scheme”) was introduced by the OPW in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available from the OPW for approved projects. Information on all approvals under the Minor Works scheme can be found on www.floodinfo.ie.
Since the inception of this scheme, the OPW has allocated funding of €1,065,183 to Meath County Council, which includes funding of €90,000 approved in March 2022 for a study of coastal erosion on Meath’s coastline, from the Boyne Estuary to the mouth of the Delvin River.
The Government has allocated €1.3bn under the National Development Plan to 2030 to support the design and construction of some 150 flood relief schemes to manage Ireland’s risk from significant flooding. In respect of completed schemes in the east Meath region, the Mornington Flood Relief Scheme was substantially completed in 2013 and provides protection to 162 properties. Work is underway to assess the potential to provide protection to an additional 52 properties. Immediately upstream of the Mornington Flood Relief Scheme, the Northlands Flood Relief Scheme provides flood protection to 20 homes in the Northlands Estate. The scheme was substantially completed in Q1 of 2018 and works commenced on a culvert upgrade in August 2022, with completion of these works programmed for Q3 of 2023.
The Government has established an Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy 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, economies, heritage, culture and environment. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW and will shortly bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider.
As noted above, the OPW makes funding available to Local Authorities for coastal protection works through the “Minor Works Scheme”. The OPW does not operate a funding scheme for individuals to undertake coastal protection activities themselves and is not aware of any EU funding mechanism for the funding of such activities.
