The Government is to spend almost £7 million on this year's coastal protection programme which involves 30 locations in 12 counties.
The projects, both new and continuing, include cliff protection works on Vico Road in Killiney, Co Dublin, and phase two of the coastal protection plan for Bray, Co Wicklow, including pier remedial works.
Some of the projects will be managed directly by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, while most will be carried out in conjunction with local authorities.
Counties Louth, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal will receive grants averaging 75 per cent of the total cost.
Among the most expensive projects are the Killiney scheme, (£700,000), pier re medial works at Bray (£652,000), work on the R561 Dingle to Castlemaine road in Co Kerry (£700,000), and strengthening of the promenade wall at Tramore, Co Waterford (£950,000).
The budget includes £50,000 for a study of potential work at Bull Island in north Dublin and £80,000 for a study at the north end of Rosslare strand's spit.
Some £40,000 has been earmarked for an erosion study of the south-facing shore on Inishbofin island, Co Galway, while Ballyvoile in Co Waterford and Pollacheeny in Co Sligo are also the subject of preliminary examination.
Some £200,000 is to be spent on a consultancy study of coastal protection "policy and priorities", while money has also been made available for the aerial survey of the east coast, which continues from last year, and maintenance and deployment of wave buoys. The Minister said it was "imperative" that the difficulties of coastal erosion were tackled.
Last year, a budget of £10 million was approved for this work, which has been the subject of some criticism among experts who believe "soft engineering" solutions applied in other countries are not being tried and tested here.
