Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government regarding the impact that climate change is having on coastal erosion and on Irish beaches, to outline the mitigation measures that the Government is putting in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18059/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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It is clear that climate change is causing significant challenges for the entire planet, with many areas already experiencing more frequent extreme weather events, changes in rainfall patterns, and changes in temperature norms.

Ireland is not immune from these challenges. In particular, the predictions for sea level rise this century, associated with increasing temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions, point to an exacerbation of the problems we face in relation to our coastal areas. Current evidence forecasts a gradual sea level rise of up to 1 metre by the year 2100 due to climate change. This will significantly change our coastline and beaches, and could adversely impact on our coastal economy, society, heritage, culture and environment, if such change is not managed appropriately.

In response to these challenges, the Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy to provide a framework for key decisions to be taken on how Ireland can best manage its coast, being aware of the future risks and the associated planning requirements. In October 2023, the group published their scoping report, setting out 15 recommendations which aim to support 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.

These recommendations can be categorised under three overarching headings, 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, the need for an integrated and coordinated response is recognised. 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 EU and bilateral level with neighbouring jurisdictions to examine best practice and lessons learned and to update knowledge 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 work undertaken further to the recommendations under this pillar will be led primarily by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

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, agriculture and 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.

In addition, there are a number of ongoing programmes to assess the potential risks from coastal change. For example, the OPW commenced a Pilot Coastal Monitoring Survey Programme in 2020 and a coastal erosion hazard mapping pilot project is now commencing.

The information derived from the Programme will inform and support the planning, design and construction of new critical coastal infrastructure including the ongoing assessment of such infrastructure performance and for assisting with the planning and preparation of any necessary future adaptation of same due to climate change.

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 February this year, and is due to meet again shortly.