Coastal Protection Measures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Questions (286)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

286. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if Kerry County Council will be reimbursed for emergency works it carried out in the mid-2000s to put in place coastal protection works at Inch beach, County Kerry; if he will designate responsibility for this outstanding issue, as the cross-departmental failure to resolve the matter has caused severe financial hardship for Kerry County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2596/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

The coastal protection works at Inch beach were completed in 2007 and were part funded by a number of Government departments. These works were completed in advance of the Office Of Public Works assuming responsibility for coastal flooding and coastal protection in January 2009. OPW has no prior involvement with this project.

Kerry County Council applied retrospectively for funding for this project in 2011 under OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. The Scheme is designed for current and future projects which have an estimated cost of no more than €500,000 and the Council were advised of this accordingly. OPW is not in a position to reimburse the Council for these works.