My Department is aware of the ongoing and evolving risks posed by erosion, flooding and wave overtopping in coastal areas, including the risks these pose to property, infrastructure and public safety.
Ireland’s approach to coastal change continues to be informed by the recommendations of the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy published on 26 October 2023, which sets out an initial, evidence-based framework for managing coastal change over the short, medium and long term. The Report contains 15 recommendations structured across three strategic pillars:
1) Enhancing governance and capacity building;
2) Improving understanding of risk and identifying potential technical options; and
3) Developing management responses to coastal change.
The Government agreed, alongside the publication of the Report, the immediate establishment of an Inter-Departmental Steering Group on Coastal Change to oversee the progression of the recommendations and to ensure a coordinated, whole-of-government response. The Steering Group, chaired by my Department, meets regularly in this context, most recently earlier this year, and is due to meet again shortly.
Progress under the Strategy includes continuing to improve the evidence base for coastal change and risk, enhancing governance arrangements, and supporting engagement between relevant public bodies to develop appropriate policy and technical responses. The Office of Public Works (OPW) continues to lead at national level on coastal hazard and risk assessment, including mapping and monitoring of coastal flood and erosion risk. It also works in partnership with local authorities on the planning and delivery of flood risk management and coastal protection measures. Local authorities remain responsible in the first instance for the consideration, planning and implementation of any site-specific coastal protection or flood mitigation measures, having regard to technical, environmental and statutory requirements, and may seek support through the OPW’s funding schemes such as the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
My Department will continue to work with the OPW, local authorities and other stakeholders to monitor and, where necessary, respond to coastal change risks in a manner consistent with the national policy framework.
My Department recognises that the framework established under the Coast Protection Act 1963 is a key element of Ireland’s coastal management regime. The Inter-Departmental Steering Group on Coastal Change has established a dedicated working group to review current legislative and regulatory arrangements, with a view to assessing whether legislative changes may be needed to strengthen the ability of local authorities and other statutory bodies to address evolving coastal change challenges. The outcomes of this work will inform future recommendations under the overall Strategy and any proposals to amend or update legislation will be brought forward as appropriate.
