226. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department is aware of concerns regarding significant coastal erosion at Rossbeigh Spit, Glenbeigh, County Kerry; whether Kerry County Council has fulfilled its responsibilities in relation to the monitoring of coastal change at this location; whether any baseline or follow-up surveys of beach levels and dune-face alignment have been undertaken since the installation of rock armour works in 2014; if not, whether such surveys will now be commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53729/26]

227. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the surveys, studies, monitoring reports and assessments that have been undertaken by or on behalf of Kerry County Council, the Office of Public Works, or any other State agency in respect of coastal erosion at Rossbeigh Spit, Glenbeigh, County Kerry since the installation of approximately 600 metres of rock armour/revetment works in 2014; the extent of any measured changes in beach sand levels, particularly in front of the rock armour; the extent of any recorded changes in the alignment or retreat of the dune face during this period; whether ongoing monitoring of coastal change is being carried out at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53730/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.

Minor Works Scheme

Local authorities may apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation and coastal protection works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Since its introduction in 2009, some €70 million has been approved under the Scheme for 930 local authority led projects that are delivering flood mitigation and coastal protection for some 8,000 properties.

Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €4.2 million funding to Kerry County Council (KCC) for 40 projects. Some €2.9m of this approved funding relates to coastal erosion works or studies. Under the Minor Works Scheme, it is the responsibility of the local authority to advance the works, once approved by the OPW. This includes all environmental assessments, planning consents, health and safety requirements and landowner agreements.

In May this year, I was pleased to announce the details of the revised criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, which greatly increase the scope of the Scheme and provide local authorities with a greater opportunity to address localised flood and coastal erosion risks within their administrative areas. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2m and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. The Scheme supports interim flood mitigation measures for communities where a major flood relief scheme is planned. By introducing interim measures, local authorities will be able to reduce the impact of a significant flood event on the local community until protection is provided by the completed scheme. The full details of the revised Scheme are available on the OPW website (www.opw.ie).

KCC has identified areas of soft coastline such as Rossbeigh/Inch, Banna/Ballyheigue and along the Maharees peninsula as being particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion.

Dingle Bay – Castlemaine Harbour

On 21st November 2017 KCC applied for funding under the OPW Minor Works Scheme for a study of Dingle Bay – Castlemaine Harbour. The study comprised of approximately 45 km of coastline incorporating Rossbeigh, Cromane and Inch. The OPW approved funding of €75,000 on 26th March 2018 to carry out this study. Additional funding of €18,000 was approved for this project on 16th June 2020 with further funding of €21,038 approved on 13th December 2021.

This study was finalised towards the end of 2024.  The Coastal Flooding and Erosion Risk Management Study (CFERMS) carried out a detailed risk assessment. Various protection options were appraised, and these options were subject to a multi-criteria assessment.

The CFERMS, using computational models and available datasets, explored changes to the Rossbeigh Spit and assessed current and future flood risks and coastal erosion risks. Preliminary environmental assessments were also carried out.

Rossbeigh

KCC has confirmed that significant repairs of the coastal defences at Rossbeigh Beach were undertaken in 2014. They engaged consultants to carry out a report on Rossbeigh.

Based on a design by their consultants, KCC submitted an application to OPW for funding under the Minor Works Scheme for the construction of a rock revetment at Rossbeigh. Funding of €450,000 was approved by the OPW for these works that were completed in 2019.

On 30th June 2026 KCC submitted a Minor Works application for Rossbeigh. Funding is being sought for both a coastal study and proposed protection works incorporating the repair of circa 650 to 750 metres of rock armour revetment.

The study will further assess current changes to beach levels, the dune system and the current protection afforded by the existing rock armour revetment, as well as estimating future changes due to the dynamic environment where Rossbeigh Spit is located.

The OPW met with KCC Thursday 9 July 2026 to discuss this application. It is currently under consideration by the OPW.

Additional Assessments Rossbeigh

KCC have informed the OPW that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have commissioned consultants to develop a ‘Rossbehy Geomorphology Report – Summary of Coastal Processes and Dynamics at Rossbehy, Co Kerry’, a draft was produced in April 2026.

Geological Survey Ireland is currently carrying out the National Assessment of Shoreline Change to assess past shoreline change and erosion rates along soft coasts, documenting change for the period from 2000-2021. Information on this can be accessed on their website at the following web address:

www.gsi.ie/en-ie/programmes-and-projects/marine-and-coastal-unit/projects/Pages/National-Assessment-of-Shoreline-Change1018-9114.aspx

Coastal Change Management

The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy are being implemented. Amongst the key recommendations of the Report is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is responsible for chairing an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.

The OPW has been designated by Government 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 OPW under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study. These assessments will also help to develop a multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally.

The OPW are currently working on the development of National Coastal Erosion Hazard Mapping and a Past Coastal Erosion Database to assist in identifying areas at potentially significant risk of coastal change. The former will provide spatial mapping to identify coastal areas that may be exposed to coastal erosion in the future, the latter is a web-based platform which will allow members of the public to report coastal erosion observed in their locality.

A National Lidar and Aerial Imagery survey is currently being completed on behalf of the OPW of the Irish coastline. As part of this survey, aerial imagery and digital elevation data was captured for the Rossbeigh area in the third quarter of 2021.