Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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72. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department is considering natural flood management and other mitigations in relation to estimated rising sea levels and protecting property that is prone to this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5073/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I wish the Minister and the Minister of State the best in their Ministries. The first time I met the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, it was in Dundalk in a previous iteration when I was a councillor dealing with the major flood protection issues facing County Louth and in particular Dundalk itself.

I am asking a specific question on natural flood management and other mitigations to protect property in the face of the estimated rising sea levels. We know we need to look at everything that can possibly be done in this regard. What is the OPW's position on this particular solution?

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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In the first instance, it is the responsibility of each local authority to investigate and address local coastal protection. The minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection schemes were introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the schemes is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood or coastal erosion mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.

Applications for funding from local authorities for measures or studies costing up to €750,000 can be made under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the total cost is available, subject to meeting specific economic, technical, social and environmental criteria.

The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in more frequent coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the report of the interdepartmental group on national coastal change management strategy are being implemented. Among the key recommendations of the report is the assignment of the lead co-ordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is responsible for chairing an interdepartmental steering group on coastal change.

The OPW has been designated by the Government as the national lead co-ordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. These assessments will build upon indicative assessment work previously undertaken by the OPW under the Irish coastal protection strategy study, and comprise a substantial, multi-annual programme of works to assess coastal risk nationally, and then in detail at higher risk locations as a basis for then determining potential viable works to manage this risk. This work will contribute to the work of the interdepartmental steering group on coastal change.

The OPW has commenced work programmes and projects to deliver on recommendations from the national coastal change management strategy report to develop the understanding of how our coast is evolving, identify areas prone to erosion, survey the coastline and coastal defences and assess coastal change hazards and risks.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The reason I submitted this question is probably related to the programme with Richard Boucher-Hayes, which I am sure many of us saw. It referred to the use of absolutely natural protections, which have been used in many places. It is expected, with rising sea and river levels, that we will have flooding. Sometimes we need to accept this, ensure we flood the places where there are few or no houses and ensure dissipation afterwards. It is just a case of ensuring we are considering natural methods.

We know there are some really innovative non-natural methods, which we have seen in the Netherlands and other places, that have to be put in place. We need to see the full delivery of the CFRAM protections. I have a further question on that but I will deal with it later.

It is just about making sure that we are considering everything from an innovation perspective and using everything, realising that even if we do our absolute best from here on in, we will see rising water levels.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I did not get to finish my response earlier. I assure the Deputy that we are considering natural methods of protection.

We talk about fluvial flooding but coastal erosion is becoming a huge problem. I have seen it in the past, including when I served here with responsibility for the OPW, and I expect it in the future. It will be a major problem. All people, not only those in the OPW but also all Members of the House, need to work together, because the problem has a frightening effect on families right along the coast. Based on what the Deputy has put forward, I assure him that works are being done to ensure we take all measures to protect the coast, particularly the communities involved.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister of State does not need to respond to my next comment. I welcome what he has said. We just need to consider this in all senses. One would be doing something like what I propose only with agreement from a farmer or other relevant person. It would basically be to suit and protect the community overall. I believe I will get an opportunity to elaborate when dealing with the next question.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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With agreement from Teachtaí Nash and McGuinness, may Deputy Ó Murchú take Question No. 80 now, before he takes the Chair? Agreed.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I am renowned for brief questioning.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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Brevity.