€600,000 Emergency Funding Secured for Rosslare Strand Erosion Protection

Rosslare Councillor Lisa McDonald has successfully secured €600,000 in emergency funding to address the ongoing coastal erosion at Rosslare Strand.

The funds will be used to repair and reinforce groins along the beach which has lost over three meters of sand and dunes during the past winter.

Rosslare Strand, a popular beach for locals and tourists, has become increasingly vulnerable to erosion, threatening nearby properties, including Kellys Hotel.

Cllr McDonald, who has long advocated for coastal protection, emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further damage. “Without this intervention, we risk even more destruction,” she said.

While the €600,000 will protect the beach for the next few winters, McDonald stressed that a long-term solution, costing up to €15-20 million, is needed. This includes more extensive repairs and beach re-nourishment to ensure the area's sustainability.

McDonald also called for a modern, coordinated coastal protection policy, noting that the current 1963 Act is outdated and inadequate for addressing climate change and coastal erosion. “Other countries have successfully implemented coastal protections, and we need to do the same here,” she said.