Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator very much for raising this matter. I am pleased to provide an update on it. I visited Portrane on 26 January this year and met Fingal County Council officials, including the chief executive, local representatives and members of the community to discuss this matter. I fully appreciate the serious concerns of the local people, and the Office of Public Works, OPW, and I will work in whatever way we can with the council to assist it in finding a proper long-term solution to the problems at Portrane.

It is important to note, however, that in relation to coastal protection and erosion generally, it is a matter for local authorities to identify and prioritise the issues along their coastlines. The OPW will co-operate with and assist Fingal County Council, and if a viable solution is identified, the local authority may undertake works using its own resources or, if necessary, apply for funding to my office under the OPW minor works scheme.The following is an update of the progress so far undertaken by Fingal County Council with the approval of funding by my office.

The council applied for and was approved funding of €57,800 in 2012 under the Office of Public Works' minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme to carry out a coastal erosion risk management study of Portrane to Rush. This study was completed and the council has been working on the basis of its findings to identify an environmentally and economically viable solution to strengthen and rehabilitate the dune system at this location. This is the preferred and recommended solution to the erosion problems. I understand that the solution proposed in the risk management report may not be environmentally sustainable and the council is looking at this matter.

Once Fingal County Council has identified a viable programme of works, it may apply to the Office of Public Works for funding. If funding is approved, then it is a matter for the council to progress the necessary works. The Office of Public Works is not currently in receipt of an application for funding from Fingal County Council under the minor works scheme for works at Portrane.

I am aware that the recent storm event resulted in some further coastal erosion having an impact on an individual property.Fingal County Council has inspected the area and will continue to liaise with the householder, the local community and the Fingal coastal liaison group in the coming days. Fingal County Council is actively seeking to deal with this matter and is working hard with the local community to find an appropriate long-term solution to the coastal erosion at Portrane.