Delayed Government grants holding up projects to stop erosion of Cork's coastline, councillor says

Sean O'Riordan story for Irish Examiner. Wooden groynes were once in position to prevent the movement of sand along the shoreline next to the Pilmore Cottages near Youghal. Residents are seeking coastal protection works. Picture: Larry Cummins

Projects aimed at tackling urgent coastal erosion are on hold in Co Cork due to a delay in the Government establishing the criteria for increased grants, it has been claimed.

The issue was highlighted by Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Mulcahy who said coastal erosion is particularly bad in parts of the East Cork region he represents and the council can’t afford further delays.

He is calling on the minister for state at the Office of Public Works, Kevin Moran, to publish the expanded Minor Works scheme grants, which he announced on August 21 last year. 

The expansion saw the scheme increased from €750,000 to €2m for local authorities to address coastal erosion and flooding.

Acting county engineer Brendan Meagher confirmed the Department of Public Expenditure has not to date published the details of the expansion to the Local Authorities despite the announcement being made eight months ago.

"The department have been too slow in getting these details out to the local authorities. There are too many projects which are now being put on the long finger because of the slow nature and reaction of the department's officials," Mr Mulcahy said.

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UCC is carrying out two reports on behalf of the county council which are expected to be published imminently. One will identify areas of immediate concern and the other will identify areas which may be faced with longer term threats.

“Last August and as recently as February and March, I have raised the matter of coastal erosion at Pilmore Cottages near Youghal and the effect that the storms and the sea have on the land near the ocean which are being eroded due to its soft sand nature," Mr Mulcahy said.

"If central government cannot act on these urgent matters, the public and the State will ultimately lose land to the sea.”