Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

The commencement and progression of the minor works scheme at Inver, County Donegal, for which funding has been approved, is a matter for Donegal County Council. The money has been approved. I will ask the OPW officials to engage with Donegal County Council to see if there is any misunderstanding.

The Government is developing a whole-of-government approach to the challenge of coastal change. Among the key recommendations of a report from the interdepartmental group on national coastal change management is the assignment of the lead co-ordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to promote a joined-up, whole-of-government response to coastal change between all relevant Departments, having regard to their existing policy remits.

The Department's steering group, chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has met on three occasions since 28 March 2024 and will meet again on 19 November 2024. The OPW has been designated by the Government as the national lead co-ordinating body for the assessment of the coastal change hazards and risk, 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, which comprises a substantial multi-annual programme of work to, first, address coastal risk nationally and then to look in detail at high-risk locations as the basis for determining potential viable work to manage this risk. The work will contribute to the work of the interdepartmental steering group on coastal change.

An application was made and funding was provided. Under the minor works scheme, it is the responsibility of the local authority to carry out the work. Deputy Pringle's constituency colleague, Deputy McHugh, has raised this with me on numerous occasions. In the spirit of co-operation, he has requested that I follow up with the officials and communicate with the local authority. I will do that, and we will see what comes of it.

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