Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 April 2026
517. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps that being taken to ensure that climate adaptation planning is consistent across local authorities, particularly with regard to coastal erosion and flooding. [27062/26]
View answerThe World Meteorological Organization has confirmed that we have just experienced the eleven hottest years on record. The ICARUS Climate Research Centre has concluded that climate change made the floods experienced at the beginning of this year almost three times more likely to occur. More frequent and intense storms, rising sea levels and coastal change are just some of the impacts of our changing climate to which we must build resilience to in Ireland.
Government is committed to protecting Ireland’s present and future generations with a whole of government approach to Climate Adaptation underpinned by the National Adaptation Framework (NAF). Under the NAF, all sectors were required to work together (with Local Authorities) during SAP development on cross-cutting issues including in relation to coasts to ensure alignment between SAPs and LACAPs.
Coastal flooding challenges are addressed by the OPW Flood Risk Management Sectoral Adaptation Plan (FRMSAP) and with the implementation of 31 Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LACAPs) published in 2024. The adaptation actions in LACAPs largely cover flood risk measures, coastal protection measures, and measures to protect critical infrastructure. Since 2022, approximately €19m has been paid to local authorities to develop and implement, and annual funding of €5.8m will continue.
Since 2018, my Department has provided €2m annually to four CAROs which support local authorities to coordinate and deliver climate actions, assisting with both climate adaptation and mitigation. This has increased to €2.4m in 2026. The CAROs work with the local authorities in their region to help promote a shared and consistent approach to climate mitigation and adaptation projects.
The Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change, chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is leading on promoting a whole of Government response to coastal change by all relevant Departments, while the Interdepartmental Flood Policy Coordination Group, chaired by the OPW, is leading on promoting a whole of Government response to flood risk that can benefit communities and individuals. Both of these groups include representatives from the Local Authority Sector (both the CCMA and the LGMA).
