John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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469. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans for coastal protection works at the Murrough, Wicklow town; the timeframe for the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11441/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Over the years, a continuous 1.4km length of revetment has been constructed to protect Wicklow Town from erosion. This extends from the North Pier of Wicklow Harbour to just north of the R999 road bridge and “The Iron Bridge” (railway bridge). The revetment is primarily rock, with “SeaBee” units installed more recently.

The works were constructed by different stakeholders at different times, generally extending further north as more residential and industrial development was constructed, and Wicklow Town expanded in a northerly direction. The OPW constructed approximately 260 metres of rock revetment under the 1963 Coastal Protection Act.

The OPW identified the need for maintenance works to be carried out at the existing 1963 Coastal Protection Scheme at the Murrough following the completion of a condition survey of the existing structure in 2018. The required maintenance works were designed in-house and consist of the re-profiling of the existing revetment and placement of a single layer of 3-6 tonne rock armour over the top.

A Foreshore Licence application for the works was lodged with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in November 2020. This licence was granted in February 2024.

The maintenance works have been designed and a tender competition for the works was undertaken in early 2024. A preferred tenderer was subsequently identified and the contract awarded in June 2024. Works commenced in July 2024 with the works certified as substantially complete in November 2024.

In parallel, the OPW has been engaging with Iarnród Éireann with regards to the project they are leading to protect the East Coast rail line against erosion that will address coastal protection issues in areas where the rail line is vulnerable, namely the East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP).

ECRIPP is funded by the Department of Transport, through the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040, and aims to protect the East Coast rail line against coastal erosion and flooding. ECRIPP will include a new section of rock revetment at the Murrough where there is greatest risk to the East Coast rail line. The emerging preferred option for ECRIPP was presented to the public for consultation in 2024.