Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The management of coastal protection in the area indicated is a matter for Fingal County Council in the first instance. The council must assess the problem and, if it is considered that specific measures and works are required, it is open to the council to apply for funding under the OPW's minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that measures be cost beneficial, and have regard to the overall availability of funding.

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 of the Portrane to Rush area. The funding was drawn down in 2013 following the conclusion of that study.

As I outlined in my reply of 8 December, following the severe storms of 2013 and 2014 and on foot of a submission made by the local authority, total funding of €200,000 was provided by the OPW to Fingal County Council under Government decision S180/20/10/1272 of 11 February 2014 for the repair of damaged coastal protection infrastructure. Part of this funding was for a dunes repair project at Burrow beach, Portrane. This project was not proceeded with by Fingal County Council at the time and the council indicated that it would form part of a separate application under the minor works scheme. I have been advised that my office is not in receipt of any application under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for Portrane.

As the Deputy mentioned, I visited Portrane on 21 February to view the effects of coastal erosion in the area. I met local Deputies and representatives, residents and property owners and was impressed by the level of engagement locally and with council officials in exploring options to address the problem. I am satisfied that Fingal County Council is giving serious and urgent consideration to finding an appropriate and sustainable solution to the problem at Portrane in advance of submitting an application to the OPW for funding. Any application that is received from the council will be considered promptly and in line with the scheme's eligibility criteria.

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