846. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in addition to funding for coastal protection works at Rossbeigh Beach, Glenbeigh, County Kerry, if he will provide funding for protective fencing, marram grass planting, signage, shovels and spades and other necessary materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55117/26]

Local coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address and a local authority may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The OPW is working closely with Kerry County Council (KCC) to implement a number of initiatives to deal with the issues of coastal protection in the county

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 KCC for some 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).

Dingle Bay – Castlemaine Harbour

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

The coastal study (CFERMS) report recommended the establishment and partial funding of a community / volunteer-led group to help manage the dune system at Rossbeigh.

KCC are considering funding (either full or partial) for such an initiative, whilst also taking into account the potential for many other similar requests from around the county related to the dune systems in other areas.

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, 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 Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.