John Browne
Ceist:35 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to secure increased funding from the EU to combat coast erosion which is causing concern to landowners around our coastline. [3960/95]
Written Answers. - Coastal Protection.
Primary responsibility for coastal protection lies with the property owner, whether it be a private individual or a local authority. The Department of the Marine's primary role is to work in conjunction with local authorities on the management of the coastal zone rather than individual sites.
Under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994-99, which was agreed with the Commission of the European Communities during 1994, expenditure of some £5.1 million is being planned for priority coastal protection works over the period to the end of 1999. Twenty five per cent of this must be provided by local authorities.
In recent years there has been only £100,000 annually for capital works. While this is the first time that funding has been provided for such works under the Community Support Framework, I am not satisfied that even the present allocation is adequate to our needs. I will be reviewing over the coming year how to get additional funds for this purpose.