Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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352. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the interdepartmental group on coastal change management and the work of the steering group charged with addressing the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4018/25]

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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365. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a national erosion policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4331/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 365 together.

Tackling coastal change management in response to climate change will be complex, multi-faceted and dynamic, demanding a range of research, policy and consequential management responses. Through the 15 recommendations set out in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy, which have been accepted by Government, 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 terms will be put in place. My Department is the policy lead, in particular coordinating the work across Government in responding to the challenge of coastal change.

The strategy set out in the Report involves an integrated whole of government approach, with actions across many sectors and my Department is playing a key role in coordinating and driving this essential work programme. These recommendations have been categorised into three strategic pillars, as follows:

Strategic Pillar 1 – Enhancing Governance and Capacity Building

Given the nature of the risks arising, the broad range of stakeholders with responsibilities to manage these risks, and the complex legal and regulatory framework within which this must be achieved, there is clearly a requirement for an integrated and coordinated response. Investment in capacity building across all key stakeholders is also necessary in order to ensure that the requisite skills and knowledge are available as required.

Under this pillar, the recommendations relating to the establishment of an advisory group of national and international experts, engagement at an EU and bilateral level with neighbouring jurisdictions to examine best practice and lessons learned and to update knowledge, how best to carry out an analysis of the relevant skills and resources available and required to implement the adopted policies and strategies for coastal change management, and how best to develop the programmes necessary to develop the required skill sets and resources nationally for coastal change management in the long-term are being considered.

Strategic Pillar 2 - Understanding the Risk and Identifying Potential Technical Risk Management Options

The report recommends that a coordinated programme of monitoring and research, drawing from and contributing to EU and international research, is developed in order to ensure that the best available estimates of potential coastal change and associated hazards and risks are identified, refined and updated on an ongoing basis. Over the coming years, this expanding knowledge base will further inform the identification of possible technical options to manage such risks. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints under this pillar.

Strategic Pillar 3 – Developing Management Responses to Coastal Change

At the heart of the challenge of coastal change risk management there is a need to develop a strategic coastal change management framework underpinned by policy direction and supports and informed by engagement with local communities. With respect to responding to coastal change, local authorities are, generally, responsible for the management of matters associated with coastal change and erosion in their respective administrative areas. Other coastal risks such as to transport, agricultural, business are addressed locally and through sectoral responses. The OPW is responsible for the technical aspects of assessing coastal change impacts, including coordinating the monitoring of physical coastal change, assessing and mapping areas at risk from coastal erosion, the development of a coastal change research programme and assessing potential coastal protection works for communities at risk, including the use of nature based solutions. The OPW also has a role in funding local authorities to carry out minor works for coastal protection.

The work under each pillar is being progressed through an Interdepartmental Steering Group which is chaired by my Department, and is tasked with progressing on the policy framework outlined in the scoping report. The Steering Group meet regularly in that context, most recently in November 2024, and is due to meet again shortly.