Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
891. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the planned funding of coastal protection works at Cahore, county Wexford; the future funding plans to develop these further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73998/25]
View answerLocal coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.
Minor Works Scheme
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The funding available for each scheme has recently been increased from €750,000 to €2 million.
The Minor Works Scheme is a demand orientated scheme. Funding is based on the estimated costs of the works required to deal with the risks submitted by the Local Authority.
Since 2009, OPW has approved some 15 projects and €5.5m to Wexford County Council (WCC) under the Minor Works Schemes. Some €4.4m of this approved funding relates to coastal erosion works or studies.
Cahore Coastal Protection
WCC identified a risk at Cahore from wave action during storms. Such waves can overtop the existing defences and give rise to a risk of damage to the existing defences and the area behind.
Six properties were classified as being at risk. WCC proposed to strengthen and enhance the existing rock armour protection to protect these properties.
Funding of €500,362 under the OPW Minor Works Scheme was approved for these works in August 2025.
The OPW are open to receiving further Minor Works applications for the Cahore area from WCC if necessary.
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.
