Dr. Cecil Beamish:

The Minister is increasing the co-funding rate from the traditional 75% up to 90%. The Department will be providing 90% of the cost of repair while the local authorities, 10%. That is much higher than has traditionally applied.

Without going into too much detail, the Department deals with certain types of infrastructure while the Office of Public Works deals with other aspects. The eligibility is primarily about whether it is a coastal defence, coastal erosion or coastal flood problem, which makes it an OPW problem. If it is linked to fisheries, aquaculture, piers and harbours it comes under the Department.