Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 February 2014
76. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that defence mechanisms are put in place to protect properties (details supplied) in County Kerry from future flooding. [6061/14]
View answerThe River Laune is not a designated channel under an OPW arterial drainage scheme and therefore the Office of Public Works (OPW) is not responsible for its maintenance. The channel is in a Drainage District and its maintenance is a matter for Kerry County Council.
If the flooding problem in the location mentioned is due to a lack of maintenance by the Council then the OPW would not approve funding to the Council under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to address this. However, if the flooding problem is due to factors other than lack of maintenance and the Council can demonstrate this clearly then the Council may apply for funding to address this problem under the Minor Works 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. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authority. It is also open to Kerry County Council to carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.
