Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the funding he proposes to make available to Waterford County Council to combat coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4403/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner whether it be a local authority or a private individual. In July 2002 the Department requested all coastal local authorities to submit proposals, in order of priority, for consideration in the context of the 2003 to 2006 national coast protection programmes. Waterford County Council submitted proposals in respect of ten locations in the county at an estimated cost of €5.14 million. In addition, Dungarvan Town Council submitted one proposal with an estimated cost of €210,000. In 2004, the Department provided funding of €70,902.76 to Waterford County Council towards emergency works and a diving survey at Helvick.

The Exchequer funding available to the Department in 2005 for coast protection works is €2.8 million for the entire country and the allocation of this funding is under consideration at present.