Cork County Council endeavours to protect the Cork coastline where it is under serious threat from the sea. This is true particularly where the action of the sea places infrastructure and property in danger. The prior approval of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources must be sought for any proposed coastal protection scheme.

The Council's role in Coastal Protection comprises:

Maintenance of existing publicly owned coastal defences such as sea walls, gabions, rock armour revetments and groynes.
Provision of new coastal defences as required in conjunction with grant aid from the Department of Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Funds for this type of work are limited and priority is given to the protection of important public infrastructure.
The Council does not have a role, however, in the protection of private property from damage by the sea.

The priority for Coastal Protection in South Cork is the completion of Phase 1 of Youghal Coastal Protection, which includes the completion of the sea wall including revetment and promenade. Estimated cost of this work is €2,200,000.
In the South and West Cork Divisions, Coastal Protection Schemes are identified by the Engineering Staff. Priorities are set by the Council's Coastal Management Committee. Design is usually done by outside specialist Engineering Consultants. Planning is done in house. All projects are progressed in consultation with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources engineering staff. Projects are constructed under the Council's supervision and once completed, projects remain the responsibility of the County Council for maintenance purposes.

Some previous, completed coastal protection projects undertaken by Cork County Council include the following:

Road Protection Works at Garrettstown, Kinsale 2002 - Value of Work Done €300,000
Youghal Coastal Protection Phase 1 2004 - Value of Work under way €500,000
Leap-Glandore Road (R596) - shoreline protection
Durrus-Ahakista Road (L) - shoreline protection
Owenahincha Strand - protection of dunes with gabions
Tragumna Strand - storm wall
Warren Strand - protection of sand dunes, phases 1 and 2
Dunworley Strand - shoreline protection

Some ongoing and future coastal protection projects with which Cork County Council is involved include the following:

Warren Strand - protection of sand dunes, phase 3
Youghal - coastal protection project

The removal of Beach Material is strictly forbidden by Ministerial Order made under the Foreshore Act 1933. This prohibition is enforced by the County Council and by the Garda Siochana. Signs to this effect are provided by the Council at locations where problems are known to exist.