Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012
273 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when emergency funding will be made available to replace a collapsed section of seawall and reinforce a section of the R634 formerly the N25 main road in and out of Youghal, County Cork, which has been partially closed to traffic since the 9 May; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31664/12]
View answerAn application was submitted by Cork County Council in May, 2012 under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to undertake works at the location concerned.
Following an examination of the application and supporting documentation, the OPW concluded that the structure that collapsed and adjacent structures are not primarily coastal erosion protection structures. They would be classified more correctly as slope stabilisation, facing and /or retaining structures which are necessary to stabilise the very high and steep slopes seaward of the road. In our view this application has nothing to do with preventing flooding.
The funding of repairs to such structures for the mitigation of landslides does not fall within the remit of the OPW. The OPW has written to Cork County Council advising them of this.
