With regard to affordable housing, while there is a need for more to be done, I welcome the fact that the Minister was in Gorey last Friday where a very successful affordable housing scheme of 20 homes was launched. The families were very satisfied. I was delighted that the Sinn Féin Deputy was present. Even though he opposed many of the Government's measures in this regard, he had no problem hopping into all the photographs with the Minister and I on Friday.

Sentiment score: 0.30

The challenge in this regard is to get far more of these affordable homes schemes going. I urge him to expedite the schemes that are coming into him from Wicklow and Wexford County Councils because we need them as quickly as possible.

Sentiment score: 0.04

146. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his Department's support for local authorities to tackle coastal erosion. [4418/26]

Sentiment score: 0.13

What measures are in place for local authorities to address coastal erosion?

Sentiment score: 0.00

The Minister is very aware of the challenges of coastal erosion. I am fortunate to represent a constituency that has some of the finest beaches in the country, stretching from Brittas Bay in Wicklow down to Morriscastle in Wexford. The Minister knows the challenges many of those communities have faced. Our problem is that we have so many strategies being developed but all the time the coast is starting to disappear. For instance, €26 million has been spent by Irish Rail on protecting the Rosslare rail line in the last decade. While I welcome the fact that €500,000 has been allocated to protect the coast at Cahore, at a public meeting there recently, organised by Councillor Pip Breen, concern was expressed that it is not sufficient to address the threat to the coast in that area. The Minister will also be very much aware of the really big challenge that continues to exist in Courtown Harbour, particularly in the area north of the harbour. I hope he can highlight specific measures.

Sentiment score: 0.15

I thank the Deputy. Wicklow and Wexford county councils are taking this issue seriously. I love the beaches around my area but a lot of them are starting to disappear. It is not just a problem in counties Wicklow and Wexford. The Minister will be very familiar with the challenges around Courtown and the area to the north of that. Courtown is a legendary destination for many people but the beach has not really been there for many years. It is an issue regularly raised by Courtown community council and by the business community or park division for Courtown and Riverchapel. There is a long-standing plan to develop breakwaters and even the possibility of a marina in the long term in that area. Will Departments co-ordinate to work with Wexford County Council to deliver this? Equally, we need that national strategy so that we look at Brittas Bay, similarly, where parts of the dunes are falling into the sea. We need to protect all our costal communities.

Sentiment score: 0.08