Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 297: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the funding she will allocate to address a coastal erosion problem (details supplied) in County Mayo. [28432/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The beach at The Valley, Dugort, Co. Mayo is owned by Mayo County Council and responsibility for its maintenance is a matter for the local authority in the first instance. In accordance with a recent government decision responsibility for Coastal Protection will be transferred to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 298: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason her Department made no allocation to Louth County Council for coastal protection; the further reason her Department earlier in 2007 stated that no application was made by Louth County Council for coastal protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28583/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A further examination of my Department's files indicates that a funding application was received from Louth Co. Co. on 26 January 2007. This application together with all other applications received, was given consideration when drawing up the 2007 National Coastal Protection Programme. The total funding available for Coast Protection works in 2007 was €3.037 million. Projects were assessed subject the availability of Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. Unfortunately, my Department was not in a position to provide funding for a number of projects including the ones applied for by Louth County Council.

In accordance with a recent government decision responsibility for Coastal Protection will be transferred to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I regret any confusion caused by my Department's earlier statement that no application was received from Louth County Council.