Ireland Urged to Plan Coastal Relocation as 2,300 Properties at Risk

A working paper from the University of Galway, commissioned by the Climate Change Advisory Council, highlights the immense threat of coastal erosion in Ireland. It urges the Government to establish urgent legal and financial mechanisms for relocating homes and infrastructure, stating homeowners cannot be left to be «washed away».

Surveys in eight of 19 coastal counties reveal nearly 2,300 properties and 570 km of roads are currently at risk, with properties exposed expected to double by 2050. The report emphasizes that coastal erosion is not an unforeseen outcome, given decades of clear scientific warnings. It calls for a rapid shift from monitoring to implementing a national coastal erosion masterplan, stressing that «planned relocation» is not optional.

The report advocates viewing relocation through a human rights lens, prioritizing public health and social justice. It identifies policy levers, zoning tools, and funding structures for relocation, noting that community participation and fair compensation can improve long-term well-being. The ESRI estimates annual damage from sea level rise could reach €2 billion by 2050 and €7 billion by 2100, making upfront investment in coastal adaptation cheaper than inaction.

The paper calls for new legislation, consistent national planning, comprehensive risk data, a funding framework for relocation, clear governance, investment in local authority capacity, and robust community engagement. It also recommends mandatory natural hazard disclosure in property transactions.