Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
431. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to engage as a matter of urgency with coastal erosion experts to investigate the severe erosion to the spit at Rossbeigh Beach, County Kerry; to outline how best to slow down the pace of erosion there; how best to reinstate the dunes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37244/26]
View answerLocal coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. The OPW continues to work with Kerry County Council (KCC) to implement a number of initiatives to tackle coastal erosion and flooding 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.
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 and studies.
KCC has identified areas of soft coastline such as Rossbeigh as being particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion. No Minor Works application has been received from KCC in relation to Rossbeigh. The OPW will consider any application for Minor Works received.
Coastal Change Management and Coastal Monitoring
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.
The OPW are currently working on the development of National Coastal Erosion Hazard Mapping and a Coastal Erosion Database to assist in identifying areas at potentially significant risk of coastal change.
The OPW is also currently developing a national coastal change monitoring programme. In the interim, aerial photography and LiDAR surveys will continue to be conducted in the monitoring areas identified for annual surveys in the Pilot CMSP. The OPW has also completed an aerial imagery and LiDAR survey of the full Kerry coastline in 2021.
