OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Minister of State Dr. Martin Mansergh, T.D. announces details of Coastal Erosion Funding.
Dr. Martin Mansergh, T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today announced details of the funding being made available by the OPW to Local Authorities for coastal protection works and studies in 2009.
Dr. Mansergh said “The Office of Public Works was assigned responsibility for Coastal Protection at the start of 2009. Since then OPW has been liasing closely with Local Authorities with a view to prioritising projects that require immediate measures or studies. A detailed Coastal Protection Projects questionnaire was completed by all Local Authorities and the responses evaluated by OPW officials. Based on these responses and a Qualitative Risk Assessment that was carried out by OPW, a total of €676,000 is being allocated to six Local Authorities for works and studies which can be substantially completed in 2009. Among the projects being put in funds for this year are a coastal protection scheme for the Fenit Road (R558) in County Kerry, works at Clone Road, Clone Upper in County Wexford and a coastal protection scheme at the Milton Malbay Road, Lahinch, County Clare.”
The Minister continued “When making the decision on funding my office concentrated on areas where there was a known risk to human life and/or a substantial risk to the infrastructure of the area. It is important to note that these minor projects are part of a comprehensive Coastal Protection Programme and I will also announce details shortly of the schemes that can be substantially completed as part of this programme in 2010”.
Ends
For further information contact Kevin Kennedy, OPW Press Office (01) 647 6159.
Notes for Editors:-
The complete list of funding offers is as follows:-
| Local Authority | Project | Amount of OPW Funding |
| Kerry County Council | Fenit Road (R558) Coastal Protection Scheme | EUR360,000 |
| Sligo County Council | Rosses Point Coastal Study | EUR40,500 |
| Mayo County Council | Down Patrick Head Doolough Sea Wall |
EUR45,500 EUR45,500 |
| Clare County Council | Lahinch Coastal Protection 1, Milton Malbay Road project | EUR45,000 |
| Wexford County Council | Clone Road, Clone Upper | EUR90,000 |
| Louth County Council | Blackrock Sea Wall Repairs Baltray Coastal Protection |
EUR31,500 EUR18,000 |
| Total | EUR676,000 |
Notes:-
Larger projects will require individual and detailed studies to be undertaken to determine their feasibility under technical, economic and environmental criteria.
The National Coast Protection Strategy Study is ongoing which will provide information on coastal flooding and erosion vulnerability. Draft outputs for the East and South coasts are nearing completion and work will continue on the West and Northwest coasts in 2010.
When completed the Study and associated maps will be a valuable aid to planning authorities to support the implementation of the Guidelines on “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management”.