Coastal Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Questions (296, 298, 302, 303)

Tom Fleming

Question:

296. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available for works to repair the breach as a matter of priority and to carry out further repairs and strengthening works to the embankment at Garrane and Reen, Killorglin, County Kerry, in order to prevent further damage to properties, businesses, and so on; if he will assist the community as it can not protect its homes, businesses, farms and properties from tidal flooding; if he will provide a detailed report on the works to be carried out to the Garrane and Reen embankment and the cost for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2452/14]

Tom Fleming

Question:

298. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make funding available for coastal protection works at Reenallagane, Glenbeigh, County Kerry as the recent storm-high tide did an alarming amount of damage to the beach and shoreline and homes and private properties are now seriously at risk; if he will take into consideration that the next high tides are forecast for the end of the month or beginning of February; if he will come to the assistance of the community as it cannot protect its homes and properties from tidal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2532/14]

Tom Fleming

Question:

302. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available to repair-strengthen the embankment at Incharee, Glenbeigh, County Kerry, as homes and properties in the area are continuously at risk to flooding; if he will take into consideration that the next high tides are forecast for the end of the month or beginning of February; if he will provide assistance to the community, as it cannot protect its homes and properties from tidal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2592/14]

Tom Fleming

Question:

303. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available to repair the breach and strengthen the embankment at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, County Kerry, in view of the fact that homes and properties in the area have been flooded recently and continue to be at risk to tidal flooding; if he will take into consideration that the next high tides are forecast for the end of the month or beginning of February; if he and the Government will come to the assistance of this community, as it can not protect its homes and properties from tidal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2604/14]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 296, 298, 302 and 303 together.

The investigation and addressing of coastal protection problems at these locations are matters for Kerry County Council in the first instance. It is open to the Council to apply for funding to deal with coastal protection under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.

The Office of Public Works wrote on 10th January, 2014 to City and County Managers in coastal areas indicating that it will accept applications under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to assist with repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the recent storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre storm condition. The specific application form for this entitled Coastal Storm Damage Flooding Questionnaire 2014 is available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authorities. It is also open to Local Authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using their own resources.

The OPW allocated funding of €180,000 to Kerry County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme in 2012 for embankment strengthening works at Cromane and Incherea. This funding has now been drawn down by the Council.