Residents in Portrane, Co Dublin have described how new funding to protect their homes from coastal erosion is like a "lifeline".
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has approved €622,703 for Emergency Rock Armour Works along Healy's Lane where properties are at imminent risk of collapse.
Locals have been calling for emergency measures to be put in place for many years to prevent their homes from being lost to the sea. Their fears around coastal erosion have been amplified recently with a surge in storms.
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure Kevin 'Boxer’ Moran, who oversees the OPW, announced the approval for the scheme in Portrane earlier today when he visited the area and informed locals of the plans.
The emergency build will involve the construction of a natural stone retaining wall of close to 300m along the coastline. It will also include the replacement of the access ramp.
Mr Moran said he has given a commitment to provide protection to people's homes and businesses.
"We know how much you have lost along the coast," he told residents while reassuring them that work will begin immediately.
There will be "no more waiting," he said. "People will sleep a bit easier knowing that a permanent solution will be happening."
He said Fingal County Council are leading on this and there are plans to carry out similar schemes in Strandhill and Wexford where there are also problems with coastal erosion.
Over the last decade, some people in Portrane have created their own coastal protective structures at the beachfront of their properties.
Fingal County Council also took action to have a 1km array of 'SeaBee' concrete units put in along Burrow Beach in 2017.
While these structures have slowed down the rate of erosion, a long-term solution was still needed.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien acknowledged today that a few homes have already been lost to coastal erosion, but insisted that more permanent measures are under way for this part of Burrow Beach to protect homes.
He said the proposed sea groynes require planning permission and are a significant cost but he is still confident that they will be installed in the future.
He explained how they are designed to "disperse the waves" and reduce the impact while building up the sand on the beach.
"It is a tried and tested approach in Continental Europe and the first time it will be used in Ireland," he said.
Mr O'Brien explained that the Marine Area Consent was issued through MARA last week which allows Fingal County Council to lodge the application with An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Labour councillor Corina Johnston expressed concern that many other homes in Portrane remain under "serious threat" and called on Government to guarantee other homes further along the beach would also be protected.
"Since Storm Bram when the minister was out here, unfortunately, we have had many severe weather events since then. So we are now at a point where there are other homes that need to be included in this scheme as there are actually other homes that are at serious threat of coastal erosion," she said.
She added that it is "crucial" to get the rock armour in as quickly as possible to the beach.
Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Tom O Leary reflected how he stood on the beach a few years ago with a woman who was concerned about coastal erosion and now her home is gone.
He said he is delighted that funding has been approved to prevent others facing a similar fate.
The owner of a beachfront mobile home park said he is really nervous for the future.
"It has been absolutely crazy. There are people losing four or five metres of their gardens in one night. I fear for the next three years. In three years time, I reckon I am gone. I have 15 mobile homes on site."
Other residents expressed "more hope" for their future and the safety of their homes following today's announcement.
