Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 4

Written Answers. - Coastal Erosion.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

226 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine the action, if any, he proposes to take to repair damage caused to the land of a person (details supplied) in County Cork and to prevent further damage being caused by coastal erosion on land at Pilmore near Youghal, County Cork. [3193/96]

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

227 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine the action, if any, he proposes to take to repair damage caused to the land of a person (details supplied) in County Cork and to prevent further damage being caused by coastal erosion on land at Pilmore near Youghal, County Cork. [3194/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I propose taking Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.

Cork County Council, along with other coastal local authorities, has identified and advised the Department of the Marine of a number of priority locations requiring coastal protection works. Pilmore was among the locations identified. The proposals submitted by the council are being considered for grant aid over the remaining years of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994-99.

I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that funding will not be made available in respect of projects designed solely to protect private property. The protection of private property and the mitigation of damage to it from any source are primarily matters for the landowner. Grant aid will only be made available in respect of works designed to protect public property and infrastructure and only where a positive cost benefit can be shown.