Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
161. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if funding will be allocated in 2024 to address the ongoing serious coast erosion in Rosslare, County Wexford, and other coastal areas of the county; his plans to protect the coastline in these areas and the total funding allocated to this task; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17154/24]
View answerLocal coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by OPW in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.
Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, technical social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio.
Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €3.3 million to Co. Wexford for some 19 projects of which approx. €2.3m relates to coastal projects and studies in Co. Wexford.
Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme
Wexford County Council carried out the Rosslare Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management Study 2019 and the Rosslare Flood Risk Management Study 2019. These studies outline potential erosion and flood mitigation measures to address the identified risks and set out how to manage and mitigate the overall risks to the community.
In December 2021, Wexford County Council appointed a consultant to develop, design, and construct a Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme (“the Scheme”), that is technically, socially, environmentally, and economically acceptable, for the community of Rosslare.
The Scheme is currently at Stage 1 (Scheme Development & Preliminary Design). To date various environmental surveys have been undertaken (e.g. Habitats Survey, Breeding Birds Survey, Invasive Species Survey), and the hydraulic report for the Scheme is in progress.
Following the completion of the hydraulics report, the Scheme will progress towards the development of an Options Report, which will identify design options for the Scheme. To facilitate the development of options, a site investigation will be completed. The final Options Report is expected in Q4 2025 with the final Environmental Impact Assessment Report due in Q3 2026.
The Scheme currently has an approved project budget of circa €7.6m – the total project budget will depend on the final option selected to manage the erosion and flooding risk. As this scheme is flood related, it is encompassed within the Flood Risk Management programme funding of €1.3bn, provided under the NDP.
The Government recognises the clear challenge posed by coastal erosion and established an Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change Strategy to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Report of the Group, which was published in October 2023, sets out 15 recommendations centred on developing responses to coastal change and developing a comprehensive whole of Government approach to the development of policy response to the challenge of coastal change.
Amongst the key recommendations is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to promote a joined-up, whole of government response to coastal change by all relevant Departments / Agencies having regard to their existing policy remits. The OPW has been designated as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints.
These assessments will build upon indicative assessment work previously undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study, and comprise a substantial, multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally, and then in detail at higher risk locations as a basis for then determining potential viable works to manage this risk. This work will contribute to the work of the Inter-Departmental Steering Group on Coastal Change.
