Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 546: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the priority his Department gives to coastal erosion; the proposals he has to provide adequate funding for coastal protection works in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24439/05]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the priority his Department gives to coastal erosion; his proposals to provide adequate funding for coastal protection works in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24535/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 550 together.

The Department's coast protection programme seeks to address the most urgent instances of erosion on the Irish coastline. Coastal erosion affects all coastal counties and is particularly prevalent on the softer coastline in the east and south-east of the country. Allocation of funding for coast protection projects is currently made on the basis of initial project proposals from local authorities, subsequently screened and augmented by the Department's staff on the basis of a small number of selection criteria.

A value for money report in March 2002 highlighted the need for a more strategic focus in addressing the problem of coastal erosion in Ireland. In this respect the coastal protection strategy study commenced in 2003. The study addresses the nature and extent of erosion at various locations and different types of coastline in Ireland and seeks to identify the most effective means, technically, financially and environmentally, in responding to particular instances and types of erosion. It is expected that when this study is completed a more targeted approach to programme delivery will enable a greater level of efficiency to be achieved.

Under the coast protection measure of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, €52.01 million is identified for expenditure. Expenditure under this measure in 2002 was €6.509 million, €2.9 million in 2003, €2.687 million in 2004 and an allocation of €2.88 million for the coastal protection programme has been made available in 2005.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Waterford County Council has received little or no money for coastal protection works in the past few years; the proposals he has to rectify this situation in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24440/05]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Waterford County Council has received little or no money for coastal protection works in the past few years; his proposals to rectify this situation in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24536/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 551 together.

Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner whether it be a local authority or a private individual. During the period 2000-2004 the Department provided funding of €1,546,143.35 to Waterford County Council towards coastal protection works at Tramore, Cunnigar, Ballyvoile and Helvick. Exchequer funding of €2.88 million was made available for the 2005 national coastal protection programme. Cunnigar and Bunmahon were allocated funding of €75,000 and €30,000 respectively for the design of protection schemes under the current programme.

The question of providing Exchequer funding for coast protection works in County Waterford in 2006 will depend on the amount of Exchequer funding available for coast protection works generally and overall national priorities.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to provide adequate funding in 2006 for coastal protection works at Ardmore, Helvick, Cunnigar, Ballyvoile and Tramore in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24441/05]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to provide adequate funding in 2006 for coastal protection works (details supplied) in County Waterford. [24537/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 552 together.

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 2003-2006 national coast protection programmes. Waterford County Council submitted proposals for coast protection works at Cunnigar phase 2, estimated at €1 million, and this was their number one priority. Ballyvoile phase 1 was the county council's number two priority with an estimated cost of €1.1 million, and Helvick was their third priority estimated at €0.5 million. Ardmore was priority number five at an estimated cost of €0.75 million. Ballyvoile phase 2 was the council's priority seven with an estimated cost of €0.93 million.

Funding of €70,902.76 was provided to Waterford County Council in 2004 towards emergency works and a diving survey at Helvick. This year I have approved funding of €75,000 and €30,000 to Waterford County Council towards the design of protection schemes at Cunnigar and Bunmahon respectively. During 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 proposals in respect of Tramore, Dungarvan or Abbeyside. 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 question of providing funding for coast protection works in 2006 will depend on the amount of Exchequer funding available for coast protection works generally and overall national priorities.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to increase the level of grant assistance to local authorities for coast protection works from 75% to 100%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24534/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for coast protection rests with the local authorities in the first instance. Under the coast protection programme the Department provides grant aid to local authorities to carry out coast protection works. The Department provided 75% and the grant aid is made available on condition that the local authority contributes 25% to the project. There is no proposal to increase this level of grant assistance.