Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Brendan Ryan for raising this important matter. Coastal erosion is a natural and ongoing process which takes place around the entire coastline. Coastal erosion may threaten human life and infrastructure, such as roads, and may undermine and cause damage to properties. However, it should be recognised that coastal erosion also has beneficial effects to the local environment, such as providing natural nourishment and supply of sediment to adjacent beaches. The primary objective of Government policy on coastal protection is to ensure that in areas identified as being at greatest risk of damage or loss of economic assets through coastal erosion or flooding, appropriate and sustainable measures are identified by local authorities to protect those assets and, where such 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.

The OPW has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion, including erosion rates, under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study, ICPSS. The results of the study have been published on the OPW website. The study has surveyed and assessed the coastal erosion risk along the entire national coastline, and the information is available to all local authorities to enable them to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties including the identification, prioritisation and, subject to the availability of resources, the implementation of coastal protection works both of a structural and non-structural nature.

The local authority may carry out structural protection works using its own resources. If necessary it may also put forward proposals to the relevant Department for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat. Since intervention within a coastline area may cause problems further along the coast, any proposed intervention measures are best developed in conjunction with a formal coastal erosion risk management study that has carefully investigated the problem and explored the full range of management options.

Portrane was assessed under the Fingal East Meath flood risk assessment area study as a coastal area for further assessment. The detailed engineering analysis found that no properties were at risk from coastal or fluvial sources in this area for further assessment, AFA. Therefore, optional assessment was not undertaken as it is designated an AFA of low risk in the draft flood risk management plans.

The Office of Public Works operates a minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection schemed, under which applications for funding from local authorities are considered for up to €500,000 in each instance. Funding for coastal erosion risk management studies may also be applied for under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is made available for projects which meet the eligible criteria.

Fingal County Council applied for and was approved funding of €57,800 under the scheme in 2012 to carry out a coastal erosion risk management study at Portrane to Rush which included Burrow beach. The funding was drawn down in 2013 following completion of the study.

Following the severe storms of the winter of 2013-14, total funding of €200,000 was provided by the OPW to Fingal County Council under the Government decision for repair works to coastal protection infrastructure, which included projects at Burrow beach. The OPW has published guidelines for coastal erosion risk management measures and funding applications under the minor works scheme available on the website.

I assure the Deputy that the OPW will continue to work with Fingal County Council to address coastal erosion issues in the county over the coming years having regard to the available resources and in the context of the framework for State investment in this area that I have outlined.

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