Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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367. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his response to research findings concerning sea level rises on Irish coasts (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23153/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider. The work of the Inter-Departmental Group is also supported by a Technical Working Group chaired by the OPW. 

Ongoing research work such as that referred to in this question is both necessary and warranted to more fully understand the scale and locational effects of sea level rise and such work is an important ongoing element of responding to this challenge.

I understand that the Technical Working Group has met recently and that it is inter-alia considering the range of data, information and research available across State organisations and that which is needed in the short, medium and longer terms to monitor the projected impact of coastal change associated with sea level rise.

The Inter-Departmental Group Steering Group is meeting this month with a view to further advancing the drafting and finalising of its report. This report, when finalised, will be presented to Government for their consideration.