Vol. 495 No. 7
157 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will make provision of a special grant for the raising of a coastal road at Mweelon, Maree, Oranmore, County Galway, in view of the fact that floods at high tide cut off nine families from the mainland; if he will make a grant available to Galway County Council for raising this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21343/98]
Grant aid has been made available for three of the four priority coast protection projects submitted by Galway County Council for consideration under the coast protection measure of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994-99. The road at Mweelon, Maree, Oranmore, was not among the coast protection proposals submitted to my Department by Galway County Council.
Given the very limited resources available for coast protection under the operational programme, I regret that it will not be possible to provide further grant aid to Galway County Council this year. I am, however, conscious of the need for sustained investment in coast protection, within an overall framework for coastal zone management, and I am addressing the issues involved. I would like to assure the Deputy that the provision of additional funds is a priority issue and I am actively pursuing the matter.
