To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) for an update on the review of the Bateman Formula; and (ii) when a new direction on coastal management and climate change will be published.

I have recently written to the Infrastructure Minister to discuss future arrangements for the Coastal Forum. The Coastal Forum was formed and co-chaired by previous AERA and Infrastructure Ministers and members included the Chief Executives of coastal Councils and the NI Director of the National Trust.

Previous Ministers concluded that the Bateman Formula from 1967 is now outdated. The absence of specific legislation in Northern Ireland governing coastal change has resulted in a lack of data on the state of our coastline, and little understanding on how our coastline is changing.

An analysis of existing Northern Ireland coastal data commissioned by the previous DAERA and DfI Ministers and published in 2019, concluded that scientifically robust data was required for the entire Northern Ireland coast to provide a basis for effective management policies.

My officials have worked closely with DfI to devise a comprehensive Work Programme which is being managed by a Working Group. The priority objective is to address the significant gaps in our coastline data and provide a reliable evidence base for effective coastal management. The Working Group has also provided decision makers with a position paper outlining current policy and best practice for Northern Ireland in the absence of data on coastal change.

My Department has recently secured £400,000 funding to address the lack of coastal data and contracts have been let to undertake a comprehensive coastal survey covering the entire Northern Ireland coast in early 2021. Supporting research on wave climate affecting the Ards Peninsula is ongoing, funded by the European Maritime Fisheries Fund. My Department is also seeking further funding for this work area.