Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an overview of works planned to alleviate coastal erosion in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5720/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Coastal protection and localised flooding issues are matters, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. To assist local authorities in managing the coastline for coastal erosion, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) and the results of this study have been published on the OPW website. This data enables local authorities to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties.

The Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy was published in October 2023. This report contains a range of recommendations centred on developing management responses to coastal change over the short, medium and longer terms and providing a comprehensive whole of Government approach to the development of the range of policy responses that the challenge of coastal change encompasses. With regard to short-term measures, the report included a recommendation for local authorities to continue to identify potentially vulnerable locations that could be affected by coastal change, and to engage with local communities to help ascertain the most appropriate interventions.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009.The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Applications for funding from local authorities for measures, or studies, costing up to €750,000 can be made under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the total cost is available, subject to meeting specific economic, technical, social, and environmental criteria.

Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of approximately €3.8 million to County Clare for some 41 projects, which includes funding of €720,000 for coastal erosion studies/projects in County Clare. Funding has been approved for coastal erosion and flood risk management studies in:

• Cloughauninchy
• Quilty to Miltown Malbay
• Liscannor Bay
• Kilbaha, Aughinish and New Quay
• Doolin

• Repair and strengthen the embankment in Aughinish Island and New Quay
• Provide rock armour in Spanish Point