Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes to make funding available to Waterford County Council for remedial works in regard to coastal erosion at Tramore, Helvick, Cunnigar, Ballyvoile and Bunmahon, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6275/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for coastal 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 national coastal protection programmes for the years from 2003 to 2006. Waterford County Council submitted proposals for coastal protection works at Cunnigar, phase 2, estimated at €1 million, and this was its number-one priority. Ballyvoile, phase 1, was the county council's number-two priority, with an estimated cost of €1.1 million. The county council's third priority was Helvick, estimated at €500,000, and Bunmahon was its fourth priority, estimated at €500,000. Ballyvoile, phase 2, was the council's seventh priority, with an estimated cost of €930,000. There was no funding available during 2003 and 2004 for these projects. However, in the years 2000 to 2002 Exchequer funding of €270,824.32 had been provided towards design and rock revetment at Cunnigar.

Waterford County Council did not submit a proposal in respect of Tramore. However, the Department provided funding of €1,171,927.51 to Waterford County Council in the years 2000 to 2003 towards promenade refurbishment at Tramore.

The coastal protection programme for 2005 is under consideration at present.