Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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433.To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will fund works to safeguard, from further costal erosion, a scenic area in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35387/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, 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). This data enables local authorities to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties.

In addition to this, the OPW provides support to local authorities through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, which has been in operation since 2009. The scheme provides funding to local authorities to undertake minor 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.

In 2016, the OPW approved funding of €36,000, under this scheme, to Donegal County Council for the installation of rock armour to protect the existing falling sea wall at Inver, Co. Donegal and in 2020 for the same location the OPW approved funding of €18,000 to Donegal County Council for rock armour along the line of the existing gabions in order to protect these gabions from further damage. Progression of the works is a matter for Donegal County Council.

The Government recognises the clear challenge posed by coastal erosion and established an Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change Strategy 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.

Following the publication of the report of the Interdepartmental Group on Coastal Change Management, the Government established a steering group to act on the recommendations of the report. This group will also develop an evidence-based coastal change management strategy facilitating key decisions to be taken to address and manage the impacts of coastal change over the short, medium and longer term. The group is chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who have lead policy responsibility for this area. The Office of Public Works is represented on the steering group and is providing input to the work programme as appropriate.