Vol. 462 No. 6
42 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Marine the proposals, if any, he has received from Galway County Council regarding coastal protection at Tawin Island, Oranmore, County Galway; and the current position regarding this application. [5166/96]
In January 1995, Galway County Council submitted its top four coastal protection proposals to the Department of the Marine for possible funding under the Coastal Protection Sub-Programme of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994-1999. The locations identified by the Council were Roundstone, Inishbofin Island, Inishmore Island and Tawin Island, County Galway. The proposals were examined by the Department and during the course of 1995 grant aid was provided in respect of two of these locations. Aid was provided towards a £100,000 gabion protection scheme on Inishboffin Island and a £75,000 sea wall protection scheme at Roundstone. The works were undertaken by Galway County Council.
Consideration was given to the council's proposal in relation to erosion at Tawin Island. The information provided in the council's submission appeared to indicate that private property alone was at risk. The Department does not provide aid for the direct protection of private property and as a result the proposals for Tawin Island were not accepted. However, following direct discussion with both island residents and the council it appeared that one of the main erosion difficulties being faced on Tawin Island was the threat to the public causeway providing access to the island. As this aspect would qualify for consideration under the operational programme, the council were requested to re-examine its submission in relation to Tawin Island. Late last week the council submitted new proposals for protection works at Tawin and these are being examined by the Department. If they are found to be acceptable they will be included among the projects to be considered for aid over the remaining years of the operational programme. It is unlikely that funds will be available in 1996.
