Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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418. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will seek emergency funding for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and meet with them to address the urgent and ongoing problem of coastal erosion that is damaging walking trails in Courtown Woods, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5526/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is aware of the long term and escalating issue of coastal erosion in the vicinity of Courtown, including its impact on Courtown Woods, part of which is managed by NPWS. The coastal erosion problem extends along a significant stretch of the coastline in the area. While some coastal protection infrastructure has previously been put in place by Wexford County Council, potential further works will be costly and technically challenging, in that coastal protection at one location may negatively impact another. Any such project requires collaboration between the Council and the NPWS, and, in that regard, local officials from the NPWS are due to meet Wexford Co. Co. in March.

In terms of the nature conservation management of the NPWS-managed area of Courtown Woods, a woodland strategy is currently being drawn up and will plan for enhancing the biodiversity of the site by long term restoration to dune, wetland, scrub and native woodland habitats.