I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 to 57, inclusive, together.
I am very aware of the issues at the Murrough in Wicklow and I have been in regular contact with the local community and Wicklow County Council in this regard.
The primary objective of policy on coastal protection is to ensure that in areas identified by local authorities as being at greatest risk of damage or loss to economic assets through coastal erosion or flooding, appropriate and sustainable measures are identified by the local authorities to protect those assets and, where intervention measures are economically justified on cost benefit grounds and compatible with all required environmental and other statutory requirements, they are implemented subject to the availability of resources.
It is open to local authorities to undertake any required remedial works using their own resources. Alternatively, if necessary, local authorities may apply for funding to carry out proposed works under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
It is a matter therefore for Wicklow County Council in the first instance to address coastal erosion problems at the Murrough site in Co. Wicklow and I have made it clear to the local authority of the options in relation to seeking funding from the OPW.
An application under the OPW Minor Works Scheme was received from Wicklow County Council in 2015 to fund repair works at the Murrough, Co Wicklow. The application was sent to OPW's Engineers to make an assessment of the technical merits of the proposal and to make a recommendation on the provision of funding.
The application was subsequently approved in early October 2015, after which the Council was notified that the OPW had approved €135,000 funding for the works.
The implementation of the works is a matter for the Council but it is understood that works have commenced.
It is also understood that the Council is to make a revised application for further funding to the OPW in the coming weeks to undertake urgent works on the Murrough site for some recent damage which occurred there, which will be duly assessed once received.
I will be ensuring this application is assessed as quickly as possible to try and assist with this issue.
It is also understood that Iarnród Éireann intend to develop proposals and undertake significant protection works over the next year or so in this area in order to protect the railway line. I met with the Chief Executive of Irish Rail in Wicklow Town recently and he assured me that he would liaise with the local authority on this matter.
I might also point out that the OPW provided a once-off allocation of funding to Wicklow County Council in September 2015 for coastal repair works the Council considered necessary following the severe storms which affected the country in early 2014.
It is a matter for the Council to prioritise which areas the funding might be used for.
Details of the OPW's Minor Works scheme are available on the OPW website at: http://www.opw.ie/en/floodriskmanagement/floodriskmanagementoperations/minorfloodworkscoastalprotectionscheme/).