Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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205. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in relation to future coastal works required at Mornigton, Bettystown and Laytown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35983/19]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I am advised that, in the first instance, the management of problems of coastal protection in the areas indicated are a matter for Meath County Council. They may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources, but where necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant central Government Departments, including the OPW, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.

It is also open to Meath County Council to apply for funding under the Office of Public Works’ (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, under which applications for funding from Local Authorities are considered for measures costing not more than €750,000 in each instance.  Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for projects that meet the eligibility criteria, including a requirement that the proposed measures are cost beneficial. Full details are available on the OPW’s website: www.opw.ie

In 2018, Meath County Council completed coastal protection works in Laytown, approximately 350 meters north of the Nanny Estuary at a cost of €483,500 which included €126,000 funding from the OPW.  These works were in response to damage done to existing coastal defences in 2013/2014.

 There is an existing Flood Relief Scheme in place providing protection to 162 properties in Mornington. The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme identified potentially viable flood relief works for Mornington that may be implemented after project level assessment and planning that would augment the existing scheme and would provide protection to an additional 52 properties. The OPW and Meath County Council are in discussions about how best to proceed in progressing this scheme.