Vol. 450 No. 8
241 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for the Marine whether he will make funds available to protect a stretch of the N70 road at Waterville, County Kerry, from coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5762/95]
The construction and maintenance of roads is a matter for the Department of the Environment and local authorities. The Department of the Marine has no role to play in this regard.
Under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994-1999, the Department will have some £5.1 million available to help address priority erosion projects around the coast.
This figure represents a considerable increase on the £100,000 per annum available in recent years for capital expenditure on coastal protection schemes. However, it is not enough to deal with the major erosion problems around our coast. In view of this, I intend looking at ways of increasing the funding for this important area over the next few years.
In the context of the funding currently available and the need to undertake a best mix of protection projects, the Department has requested local authorities to provide details of their top four priority proposals for consideration. The bulk of replies are still awaited, I can, however, advise the Deputy that Kerry County Council's submission has been received.
