OPW approves €566,666 for coastal protection in Rosslare

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced the approval of €566,666 following an application by Wexford County Council’s for funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

The Council will use the funding to provide rock revetment coastal protection fronting at Kelly’s Resort Hotel in Rosslare.

The hotel was first established along Rosslare Strand in 1895 and now employs more than 250 people.

Minister of State Kevin “Boxer” Moran announced the funding approval, while the commencement and progression of any works will be announced by Wexford County Council.

Earlier this year, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eddie Taaffe said the existing coastal defences along Rosslare Strand were damaged and needed to be repaired urgently.

Rosslare residents have expressed fear that their properties will not survive another winter, due to the worsening impacts of coastal erosion and storms of increasing frequency and severity.

Since 2009, Wexford County Council has received support for 26 projects under the OPW scheme.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems.

The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame, while local authorities must be satisfied that the works will not have a significant impact on flood risk elsewhere.