Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 1

Written Answers. - Donegal Coastal Erosion.

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

33 Mr. Gallagher (Donegal South-West) asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the coastal erosion problems at Maghery, County Donegal; the steps, if any, he proposes to take to protect the beach and property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12424/96]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

40 Mr. Gallagher (Donegal South-West) asked the Minister for the Marine whether he has received a priority list from Donegal County Council for coastal protection works; if so, if he will give details of the priority list; when he will make an allocation to Donegal County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12425/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I propose answering Parliamentary Questions Nos. 33 and 40 together.

At the request of the Department of the Marine, Donegal County Council has submitted details of its top coastal protection priorities for consideration for aid under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994-99. Donegal County Council submitted proposals in respect of the following locations listed in order of priority: — (1) Maheraroarty; (2) Rathmullan; (3) Teelin, (4) Drung; (5) Mountcharles; (6) White Strand (Buncrana); and (7) Ramelton.

During 1995 coastal protection works at a number of locations around our coast were aided under the operational programme. It was not possible to aid any works in County Donegal in 1995. I am sure the Deputy will understand that as the funding under the programme is limited to £5.1 million over the 1994-99 period it is only possible to grant aid a limited number of projects in any one year.

As I have said, Donegal County Council's priority for coastal protection is Maheraroarty. Essentially, the problem at this location is that there is a sand bank isthmus running east of the pier which has been severely eroded in recent years. The council has proposed using rock armour to halt the erosion. The cost of this work is estimated to be in the region of £230,000. However, given the nature of the erosion at Maheraroarty and the coastal dynamics along that section of the coastline it is essential that the correct type of coastal protection is put in place. Rock armouring may or may not be the correct solution. In view of this I have now requested Donegal County Council to undertake a detailed study of the problem, including the design of possible solutions. It is estimated that such a study will cost between £20,000-£30,000. Grant aid amounting to 75 per cent of the cost will be made available to the council. The engineering division of my Department, who are probably the most skilled corps of marine engineers in the country, will liaise closely with the council on this study, which I am hopeful will identify a long-term solution to the erosion problem at Maheraroarty.

In relation to the other priority locations identified by the council I am not in a position to allocate any funding this year. However, the situation will be reviewed annually between now and the end of the programme in 1999.

The Deputy has also asked about Maghery, County Donegal. I have received representations on behalf of An Coiste Forbartha an Mhacaire regarding funding for coastal protection works at Maghery. While consideration will be given to the situation at Maghery, I have to say that given the limited amount of funding available for coastal protection and the fact that Maghery is not on Donegal County Council's priority list, it is unlikely that any works will be aided. That being said, if the local community in conjunction with Donegal County Council wish to undertake any protection works directly, I will give favourable consideration to the granting of any appropriate foreshore permissions for such works.