Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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14. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the problems of coastal erosion on the Portrane coastline, that damage to the dunes is endangering local homes and that public money was not availed of to implement protection measures recommended in the Portrane Coastal Erosion Management Study; the steps his department will take to ensure that protection measures are carried out without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10505/17]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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The Minister of State is aware of this issue. Residents were grateful for his visit to the area in the past week or so. With every passing storm and change in the weather, homes are further threatened. Residents need to see remediation. What can the OPW do to ensure that the works are undertaken?

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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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.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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I do not share the Minister of State's confidence. I have correspondence with me from one of his predecessors, Mr. Brian Hayes, MEP, who similarly visited the region and was told that moneys were available and had been expended on a study. Two or three years later and the weather conditions and erosion have worsened, but Fingal County Council is proposing another study even though the moneys that were available were not drawn down. This is leaving the residents in a vulnerable situation.

The Minister of State's answer is the same one that he gave me in early December, in that the council has not yet applied for anything. At its latest council meeting, it stated that the measures recommended by the previous study, which the OPW had paid for, would not be implemented and it would undertake another study. That is not good enough. A solution must be delivered urgently. What intervention can be made to call the council to account or can it be worked with more closely so that something is done instead of there being another study?

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I will start by answering that question. If Wexford County Council proposes a scheme, it will be considered as long as it meets the cost benefit criteria.

Regarding Portrane, when I met the residents and other locals, frustration was expressed that no work was being done. I understand that, on the following day or the day after that, Fingal County Council met locals and councillors to set up a liaison group to devise proposals.

Funding is available from the OPW, but local authorities need to make applications that satisfy the criteria. We are discussing minor works schemes. We spent €3 million on them last year. A minor works scheme can cost up to €500,000. There are avenues for funding.

When I met people in Portrane, I told them that the OPW would provide whatever help or advice that the local authority required, as we would for any local authority, with a view to finding a solution.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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The residents have been patient beyond belief with this situation. We are seeking vigilance and intervention by the OPW. It is mad that coastal protection measures that were assessed and recommended in a study two years ago, when we had a different liaison group and residents gave of their time to protect their homes, are not being implemented and the council now wants to undertake another study. Something is wrong with that. There is a high level of engagement, but the council needs to do more and be more attentive. If the OPW can do anything, it would be appreciated. This situation is urgent. We will lose homes. The weather is worsening. It is sad to hear the same reply that was given by someone three Ministers of State ago. The situation on the ground is the same but the weather is worse. This cannot continue indefinitely. If those who are charged with responsibility at local authority level are not delivering, they should be called to account and the OPW should intervene.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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5 o’clock

I share the Deputy's frustration. I was challenged on that matter and was asked whether I was only there to visit. Deputy Brendan Ryan raised the issue with me in the Dáil three weeks ago and following the discussion I gave him a commitment that I would go out there, which I did the following week. In going there at that stage I was demonstrating our commitment to assist in any way we could, but the bottom line is that Fingal County Council must make an application. On the day, I looked at proposals that were on the table, with residents, who are now engaging with the local authority. I implore local representatives to remain vigilant. They should notify me or my office if there is anything they want me to do. If I can do it, I will do it but we cannot do anything until we get the application. In the meantime, as I said previously, we can offer advice.