Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
455. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide emergency funding for coastal protection works at Rossbeigh Beach, Glenbeigh, County Kerry as a matter of extreme urgency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9724/26]
View answerLocal coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. 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
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. Further details related to this are due to be announced shortly.
Since 2009, OPW has approved some 40 projects and €4.2m to KCC under the Minor Works Schemes. Some €2.9m of this approved funding relates to coastal erosion works or studies.
Rossbeigh
KCC confirmed that significant repairs of the coastal defences at Rossbeigh Beach were undertaken in 2014. They engaged consultants Malachy Walsh and Partners (MWP) to carry out a summary report on Rossbeigh.
Based on a design by MWP, KCC submitted an application 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. These works were confirmed completed in 2019.
The Minor Works Scheme is a demand orientated scheme. No further applications have been submitted to OPW by KCC for Rossbeigh.
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.
