Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
456 Mr. English asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that over the past six month period the beach in Portrane, north County Dublin, has lost five feet in width due to coastal erosion; the plans he has to protect this beach from further coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11180/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary responsibility for coastal protection works rests with the property owner, be that a private individual or a local authority. In this instance Fingal County Council has responsibility for the protection of Portrane coastline. My Department has not received any reports of erosion of Portrane beach in the past six months.
In 2002 my Department requested proposals from all coastal local authorities for consideration in the context of the 2003-2006 national coastal protection programmes. Fingal County Council submitted an application in respect of Portrane beach at an estimated cost of €326,305. In 2003, funding of €7,500 was provided to Fingal County Council towards some minor coastal protection works at the north end of Portrane.
Under the coastal protection programme for 2004 there is an Exchequer allocation of €0.78 million provided for the entire country. A final decision on the disbursement of the allocation to individual projects has not yet been made.
