Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:142. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the new National Coastal Change Management Strategy. [49077/23]
View answerThursday, 9 November 2023
Questions (142)
Written answers
In response to the developing risks associated with climate change - including changing weather patterns and an estimated sea level rise of up to one metre by the year 2100 - the Government established the Inter Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change Strategy chaired by my Department and the Office of Public Works. The purpose of the Group was to scope out an approach for the development of an integrated whole of Government strategy for managing coastal change.
The report of the Inter Departmental Group, which was recently approved by Government and published by me in conjunction with my colleague Minister O'Donovan, can be found online: gov.ie - Coastal Change Management Strategy Report (www.gov.ie).
The Report sets out the Group’s initial findings and recommendations to enable the State to assess risks and develop appropriate responses, and it addresses:-
• Approaches to coastal change management in EU and other jurisdictions;
• Baseline and other data capture and research requirements to inform the development, implementation and monitoring of a national coastal management strategy, to include potential damages assessment;
• Outline of the economic, environmental, cultural and social policy issues arising with approaches to coastal change management;
• The development of criteria that can help inform planning and investment decisions on future use of all coastal areas, including any guidance requirements;
• Recommendations on future structures and roles of Government Departments to deal with coastal change and to deliver a national coastal change policy, including adaptation strategies, resource implications, legislative and regulatory change requirements and a communications strategy to underpin it.
Tackling coastal change management in response to climate change will be complex, multi-faceted and dynamic, demanding a range of research, policy and consequential management responses. Through the 15 recommendations set out in the report, an evidence-based coastal change management strategy facilitating key decisions to be taken to address and manage the impacts of coastal change over the short, medium and longer term will be put in place.
I intend to progress this work through the establishment of an interdepartmental steering group, to be led by my Department. My Department will act as the policy lead, in particular co-ordinating the work across Government with respect to responding in a co-ordinated way to the challenge of coastal change. The Office of Public Works will act as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints.
Question No. 143 taken with No. 115.