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Tuesday, 25 Feb 2014

Written Answers Nos. 337-361

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (337)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

337. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in view of the regular instances of flooding, his Department or agencies under his aegis will provide advice or guidance for homeowners on helping defend their homes from flooding and on the various products and services available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9481/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works has developed a website, www.flooding.ie, which contains practical help and advice for those whose homes or businesses may be at risk of flooding. The website contains:

- advice on preparation for flood events;

- advice on what to do in the event of a flood, and after a flood;

- information on protections that can be applied to properties;

- information on products that can be used to help eliminate or reduce the damage that can be caused by flooding; and

- contact details for organisations that can help when a flood occurs.

As well as providing information for homeowners, the website also has specific sections providing information for farmers and business owners.

The website is kept under regular review to ensure the information and advice is as up to date as possible.

It should be noted also that Local Authorities issue much good advice and notifications to homeowners and businesses in relation to flood risk and flooding events on their websites.

The Office of Emergency Planning has developed a website http://www.winterready.ie/ which also outlines advice and information on a variety of topics concerning the Home, Clearing Snow, Water Shortages, Public Health and Safety, Flooding Advice, Road Safety, Schools, Farming, Business Sector and Contact Information.

Election Management System

Questions (338)

Pat Deering

Question:

338. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a company (details supplied) in County Carlow will be paid for storage of election equipment. [9558/14]

View answer

Written answers

Under the electoral acts, as amended, the Minister for Finance, at the request of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, provides funds to the Returning Officers so that they can pay the suppliers of services required. The engagement of suppliers and the payment of suppliers is between the Returning Officer and the supplier concerned.

The funds required, for payment to the person named, were transferred from the Exchequer to the bank account of the Returning Officer for Carlow. This payment appears not to have taken place due sadly to the lengthy serious illness of the Returning Officer who died recently. I understand that a local Returning Officer for the European Elections for Carlow was appointed by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government  on 12th February and  that the matter of the payment is being taken up with her with a view to having it resolved as soon as possible.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (339)

Seán Kyne

Question:

339. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works planned for flood alleviation on the River Clare in Galway; when it is hoped that such works will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9683/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works, in association with Galway County Council, has developed a Flood Relief Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts for the Clare River in the environs of Claregalway, Caherlea/Lisheenavalla, and the Carnmore/Cashla areas. The Claregalway Scheme is designed to provide protection for houses, roads and businesses in the area against a flood event that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year – often referred to as the 1-in-100 year event, including an allowance for climate change. This is the standard level of protection provided for by OPW flood relief schemes.

The Scheme has been approved by the Commissioners of Public Works and has been submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for Confirmation (i.e. statutory approval). It is expected that construction will commence within a short period of approval being given by the Minister.

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Questions (340)

Dara Calleary

Question:

340. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the options available to a civil servant who, due to long-term health issues, is no longer able to travel long distances to work and requires a transfer to an office closer to home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8889/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Civil Service has sick leave arrangements in place for staff who are unable to attend work due to illness or injury. 

Under the Public Service Agreements covering the period 2010-16, Redeployment generally takes precedence over all other methods of filling a vacancy.  The detailed arrangements agreed with the staff unions, set out in a "Redeployment Toolkit" available on the Department's website at http://hr.per.gov.ie/redeployment/, supersede any existing agreements on the deployment of staff. Staff may be moved to another organisation or location through these arrangements but they have not been designed to facilitate requests from individuals for transfers to address personal circumstances and are not used for that purpose. At a practical level, it is considered unlikely to be possible to agree on criteria to rank or choose among all the possible bases for granting priority of assignment to posts in other locations, which would be a prerequisite for the fair implementation of such an approach.

Departmental Programmes

Questions (341)

Damien English

Question:

341. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the shared services programme as part of the Government’s public service reform plan; implementation timeframe of the financial management shared services project for the Civil Service, defence and justice sectors; the breakdown of the costs and savings associated with this project; if this will be rolled out to other Departments in due course and the timeframe for this roll-out; if small and medium-sized enterprises will have the opportunity to tender for the provision of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8895/14]

View answer

Written answers

PeoplePoint, the Civil Service Transactional HR and Pensions Shared Services Centre, is the most advanced of our Shared Services projects.  6 more Public Services Bodies transitioned to PeoplePoint earlier this month.

There are now over 24,000 employees serviced by PeoplePoint across 19 Public Service Bodies.  The remainder of the 40 in scope Bodies will transition during 2014. 

At this point, the forecasted savings are €12.5m per annum with a reduction of 149 full time equivalent staff working in transactional Human Resources activities.  PeoplePoint will also yield non-financial benefits including improved efficiency, consistency and service delivery.

The Civil Service Payroll Shared Service Centre, based in 3 locations: Galway, Killarney and Tullamore will consolidate and integrate payroll processes and practices from the 17 payroll centres currently providing payroll services to 53 Public Services Bodies.  During 2014, 27 of the 53 in-scope Bodies will transition into the Payroll Shared Services Centre, over a series of two waves.   Garda and Prison Officer payrolls already transitioned  from the Department of Justice and Equality late last year.

When fully operational, and providing payroll services to all 53 in scope Bodies, it is estimated that the PSSC will achieve savings of €5.6 million per annum.  The Business Case indicates that the number of FTEs required to provide payroll services will be reduced by c. 16% (56 FTE).

Last December, the Government agreed to proceed to the next stage of a Financial Management Shared Services Project for the Civil Service, Defence and Justice sectors.

The initial scoping phase of the project has already been completed and represents an undeniable case for change.  It is estimated that sustainable savings in the region of €14.6 million, or over 30%, per annum could be achieved once a shared services solution has been fully implemented.

The number of sites for this type of work will reduce from 20 down to 3.  The sites that will accommodate the Financial Management Shared Services Centre are: the Department of Defence, Galway; the Department of Finance, Tullamore; and the Department of Justice and Equality, Killarney.  These locations have been selected on the basis of an objective assessment of the level of skills and facilities available and the ability to attract staff from across the Public Service.

A formal Request for Tenders to support the work of the Project Team during the current phase of work has issued on the eTenders website operated by the Office of Government Procurement.  The process is fully open and in line with all relevant EU requirements. The work will entail documenting the detailed finance business requirements, developing the technology design and redesigning a single chart of accounts.  A detailed implementation timeline and scope has not yet been developed pending the completion of this analysis. Once  this phase is completed, a further submission will be made to Government to proceed to full implementation.

Heritage Sites

Questions (342)

Brian Walsh

Question:

342. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total annual turnover of each individual Office of Public Works visitor site in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; the net profit returned to the State in respect of each of these sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9200/14]

View answer

Written answers

The OPW Heritage Service is responsible for managing approx 780 National Monuments sites in State care together with a number of other high profile heritage properties which are not themselves designated as National Monuments but which are nevertheless of considerable historic importance. The maintenance and upkeep of the National Monuments is a statutory function of the Commissioners of Public Works under National Monuments legislation dating back to the 1930’s and is undertaken by experienced conservation staff of the OPW and a network of skilled local direct labour in various locations around the country. Non National Monument sites are maintained as part of the OPW’s broader remit for the care and management of the state property portfolio, including this heritage estate. These properties have, in many cases, direct labour force teams located at the site dealing with issues such as grounds management, horticulture / arboriculture, security, event management and a range of other tasks.

In addition to the statutory function relating to the maintenance and upkeep of the National Monuments portfolio, the OPW is also responsible for the presentation of a number of sites to visitors. Currently, full guided visitor services are provided at 70 heritage sites each year; 24 of them presented on a fulltime basis and the remaining 46 on a seasonal basis generally within the period between April and September. Not all of these sites charge admission and a significant number are free entry. In 2013, approx 4.2m visitors were admitted to OPW sites with visitor services and a much greater number, well in excess of 15m for the entire estate, visited the unguided sites within the portfolio. The open public sites in this latter category include such properties as St Stephen's Green and the Phoenix Park in Dublin where there is a considerable public footfall. Some sites (ie: the Dublin Castle complex) have a multi-functional role operating in the case of the castle for example as both a high profile visitor location and a Conference Centre.

Since many of the sites operated by the OPW Heritage Service do not function as commercial concerns as such but rather are operated for the public good as part of the celebration of the nations’ culture and heritage, the question of turnover does not strictly arise. However, for the purposes of answering the Deputy’s Question, I have asked my officials to capture costs relating to those sites where we either maintain a Guide Service operation or alternatively have a workforce located (ie; ground staff, event teams etc) and to set it beside details of gross admission and sales income (where such is actually charged or received) and the overall number of visitors admitted (where such records are maintained on either a paying or non-paying basis). The cost to value equation however is not completely captured by this analysis, since there is a distinct multiplier effect in evidence having regard to both the wider tourism and the general economy which benefits to a significant degree from the availability of this unique tourist and visitor resource. I would also suggest that this analysis does not identify the social and cultural benefits that flow from the presentation of the heritage estate and the very real contribution it makes to our sense of a unique and valuable cultural identity.

The information in relation to the sites treated within the Heritage estate managed and operated by the OPW is enclosed on the tabular statement. Naturally, if the Deputy has a specific enquiry in mind which I have not addressed in this material, I will be happy to respond if he wishes to contact me directly.

-

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

No

Site Name

Admissions 2011

Admissions 2012

Admissionsns 2013

Gate Income 2011

Gate Income 2012

Gate Income 2013

Pay 2011

Pay 2012

Pay 2013

1

Altamont

47514

44862

53541

1822.00

1890.00

1494.00

172,000.00

173000.00

174,000.00

2

Ardfert Cathedral

5009

6286

6265

8192.09

8029.70

6727.50

69,927.62

50,228.03

44,320.06

3

Athenry Castle

9303

9455

10056

10,805.26

12242.03

12598.05

55,996.12

67,569.49

67,209.28

4

Aughnanure Castle

21825

21645

20222

41076.87

40695.38

39075.10

69,932.77

74,496.59

73,773.48

5

Ballyhack Castle

2464

3007

1782

402.00

809.50

107.50

17,756.66

13,532.28

9,427.61

6

Barryscourt Castle

11226

13021

13177

362.50

528.00

617.50

42,950.59

43,437.69

43,689.51

7

Battle of the Boyne

38846

62004

60796

92695.00

84200.00

90162.00

317,000.00

294,000.00, *VS 13,358.23

321,000.00

8

Blasket Centre

41717

47003

42362

89776.86

103186.50

93204.20

81,000.00

*VS 84,595.92

84,000.00

* VS 89,771.42

86,000.00

*VS 82,574.07

9

Boyle Abbey

6201

9164

5849

339.05

384.70

10010.85

43,542.07

37,326.03

35,600.95

10

Brú na Bóinne (Visitor Centre)

43828

42481

44990

91359.38

90.398.50

92597.66

494,484.04,

488,975.85

479,194.60,

11

Newgrange

132760

132649

133616

645,915.95

645426.50

649916.50

273,699.52

289,107.70

289,214.52

12

Knowth

51962

54350

51138

191058.00

197698.00

185125.50

135,867.16

131,340.22

145,754.77

13

Cahir Castle

59822

62818

67713

127606.18

130402.63

136917.21

245,309.94,

250,857.31,

247,854.43,

14

Carrowmore

23073

26460

27569

43828.00

50790.50

51864.00

91,899.74,

88,152.56

96,597.98,

15

Casino Marino

12047

7444

13511

18414.75

8929.50

14245.00

68,174.27

71,612.12

109,781.15

16

Castletown House & Parklands

24359

36160

244416

30745.25

47476.75

43497.45

199,000.00

285,000.00

313,000.00

17

Céide Fields

25885

25910

25105

59980.21

60605.46

55944.52

151,897.59,

160,193.63,

162,467.33,

18

Charles Fort

67247

66860

69263

168483.93

163614.97

166958.10

210,663.97

204,087.61,

205,354.66

19

Clonmacnoise

134034

138481

139413

505529.60

526361.01

538604.65

311,740.69

292,936.82

297,404.09,

20

Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre

4937

4547

4209

509.49

504.55

294.32

72,302.66

64,104.10

63,430.18

21

Derrynane House

23209

23729

23611

50994.20

50518.50

39908.20

264,000.00 * VS 252.95

232,000.00 * VS 22,068.96

213,000.00 *VS 29,357.09

22

Desmond Castle

9681

9618

9205

17672.50

17360.50

16063.00

48,658.66

54,768.29

50,738.71

23

Desmond Hall

3702

4290

9415

192.70

142.40

233.69

25,337.23

32,121.46

65,276.54,

24

Donegal Castle

36678

41059

39995

87803.52

100267.06

95659.38

126,763.76,

132,473.78,

119,027.51

25

Dublin Castle

141849

157253

103287

442588.00

493740.50

309074.50

2,681,000.00

2,840,000.00

2,612,000.00

26

Dún Aonghasa

107244

108116

105539

190829.50

187736.50

189825.00

215,961.48

218,629

200,424.70,

27

Dungarvan Castle

9983

11015

10805

559.40

519.50

826.00

30,502.54

35,674.25

36,780.96

28

Dunmore Cave

30024

34258

36271

44743.51

46223.50

50943.00

199,940.03,

193,188.76

179,198.36

29

Emo Court

5776

8506

11397

10433.49

11379.26

12232.10

353,000.00

*VS 63,304.31,

352,000.00, *VS 70,191.82

322,000.00

*VS 75,848.30

30

Ennis Friary

0

15747

22272

0

0

0

37,488.84

78,264.94,

68,580.45

31

Farmleigh Estate

315464

375064

435476

0

0

0

1,933,000.00

2,198,000.00

2,166,000.00

32

Ferns Castle

5314

8692

5710

1535.42

1428.16

810.80

49,065.69

50,596.16

40,056.50

33

Gallarus Castle

41024

35267

39658

0

0

0

VS 0

18,176.77

21,654.87

34

Garinish Island

53102

47834

49706

163820.40

146161.40

153170.80

310,000.00

VS 10.64

300,000.00,

*VS 4,379.51

303,000.00

35

Glebe House and Gallery

24321

19658

23480

21717.04

17258.16

7429.72

160,000.00

* VS

75,432.83

161,000.00

*VS 78,956.11

160,000.00

*VS 52,620.22

36

Glendalough Visitor Centre

80726

79983

80922

169540.12

168568.38

171593.30

307,289.12 T&S 10.50

289,201.39 T&S 10.50

272,256.32

37

Hill of Tara

11628

9143

9600

17748.50

15276.50

13869.50

43,402.07

39,129.24,

37,287.76

38

J F Kennedy Arboretum

86007

95215

95841

133329.20

140182.68

136210.48

511,000.00 * VS 54,435.20

550,000.00 *VS 53,760.89

488,000.00

*VS 55,593.97,

39

Jerpoint Abbey

21534

20032

22097

52565.80

49616.99

56722.89

142,236.96

142,815.82

138,446.63

40

Kilkenny Castle

206277

238244

241302

648584.20

755991.00

781365.00

885,000.00

* VS 1,022.52

811,000.00

864,000.00

41

Kilmainham Gaol

300042

310910

326207

1172382.00

1189038.44

1328085.31

571,558.28

533,960.05,

546,553.62

42

Listowel

2182

1986

4068

0

0

0

26,957.61

24,482.62

24,094.21

43

Loughcrew

7491

7224

9226

0

0

0

35,372.77

27,052.93

25,514.29

44

Main Guard

6198

7273

5954

110.30

241.90

494.10

62,327.28

70,875.32

47,581.14

45

Maynooth Castle

9444

13852

23326

356.40

624.50

346.70

35,714.90

22,122.53

24,193.71

46

Mellifont Abbey

14224

12182

8253

19737.28

17913.75

10946.16

60,370.34

54,865.37

34,239.11

47

National Botanic Gardens

501000

544685

550000

93114.30

6580.00

121950.69

2,265,000.00

*VS 172,038.23,

2,207,000.00

*VS 188,137.37

2,110,000.00

*VS 204,188.26

48

Newmills Corn and Flax Mills

3298

3203

3438

354.41

222.40

219.75

31,224.04

30,541.63

22,461.03

49

Ormond Castle

9539

9240

9922

2036.80

1978.80

1912.50

57,552.60

64,411.57

58,985.33,

50

Parke's Castle

13460

14788

16302

20888.30

23249.96

26021.70

65,539.08,

74,474.40,

66,267.84

51

Pearse Museum

16528

36039

32507

876.37

1709.05

2111.96

528,000.00

*VS 135,930.88

490,000.00

*VS 139,568.38

484,000.00

*VS 130,218.69

52

Pearse's Cottage

5609

4524

4615

6749.81

5375.83

5431.69

29,860.88,

25,099.85

34,438.87

53

Phoenix Park Visitor Centre

121487

147539

137755

3746.21

4369.08

3319.10

2,985,000.00

*VS 134,595.34

2,905,000.00, *VS 154,247.25

2,750,000.00

*VS 154,334.67

54

Portumna Castle

14073

11712

10376

22128.38

19152.73

16801.90

99,398.35,

102,344.83

95,980.10

55

Rathfarnham Castle

9506

23832

17830

307.00

2467.15

462.40

122,784.46,

144,074.52

144,212.76

56

Reginald's Tower

29368

29184

26468

33554.20

41519.91

38211.50

121,825.48,

90,867.35

105,972.13

57

Rock of Cashel

233038

240406

255338

904656.46

921926.34

975633.13

496,829.58,

500,561.29

541,271.04,

58

Roscrea Heritage

3402

10623

26541

7370.60

8128.91

8032.81

78,216.21

94,781.59,

134,465.96

59

Ross Castle

25509

69218

77154

76635.29

69240.45

82950.06

223,771.34

202,645.76

201,905.75

60

Scattery Island

1344

1121

2821

538.60

411.50

722.40

16,619.37

15,593.25

13,171.56

*VS: This denotes a supplementary funding source internally within the OPW system. To obtain a total cost for the site in question, this figure should be added to the primary cost also indicated.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (343, 344, 345)

Gerry Adams

Question:

343. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Office of Public Works' plans to provide adequate flood defences for the area of King's Island in Limerick city following the devastating flood damage of 1 February 2014. [9218/14]

View answer

Gerry Adams

Question:

344. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the time the Office of Public Works estimates that flood defence plans at King's Island, Limerick, will take to steer through the planning process. [9219/14]

View answer

Gerry Adams

Question:

345. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will fast-track flood defence plans for King's Island in Limerick city, considering the fact that reports have already been completed for the area as part of the local regeneration plan. [9220/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 to 345, inclusive, together.

Along with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, I visited the King's Island area of Limerick on 3rd February and witnessed at first hand the devastation suffered by the people of the area as a result of the flooding from the river Shannon.

I made it clear on that day that this Government will do everything possible to prevent a recurrence of this terrible event for the communities in the area. A decision was made immediately to install temporary flood defences along the banks of the river, with the work being done by the local authority and funded by the OPW. The Department of Social Protection also came to the immediate assistance of the people affected through its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.

In relation to the longer term solution, at a meeting which the Minister for Finance and I attended that day with officials from Limerick City Council, various options for addressing the situation were considered. One option which was discussed was that the provision of permanent flood defences to protect the vulnerable areas of King's Island would be incorporated into the Regeneration Project for the area with technical advice and funding for the flood defence work to be provided by the OPW. This approach would ensure that the timescales for the flood defence plans and the Regeneration Project were fully integrated and would facilitate a properly coherent approach to the redevelopment and protection of the area.

Limerick City Council is the lead authority for the planning and advancement of the Regeneration Project for the St Mary's Park/Kings Island area and it would have more details on the current status of and timelines for the project.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (346)

Gerry Adams

Question:

346. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of money spent on major and minor flood defence work in tabular form for the past three years in County Louth and Meath East; the location of this work; his plans for future works in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9230/14]

View answer

Written answers

A list of all expenditure from both Major Flood Relief Schemes and Minor Works funding in Counties Louth and Meath is set out below.

County

Project

2011

2012

2013

-

Mornington Flood  Relief Scheme (Major)

€1,135,543

€482,347

€52,998

-

River Tolka Flood Relief Scheme (Major)

-

-

€5,109

-

Swan River (Minor Works)

€38,730

-

€144,255

Meath

Northlands Estate (Minor Works)

-

-

€18,255

-

Ardee Road, Dundalk

€39,725

-

-

Blackwater River, Dundalk

-

-

€71,820

Louth

Bellurgan Embankment

€27,000

-

-

A full list of all approved applications for the Minor Works Scheme since 2009 is available on OPW's website, www.opw.ie.

Two major Flood Relief Schemes have been carried out in County Meath in the last ten years on the River Tolka and on the Mornington River. Approximately €7 million was spent by the OPW on the River Tolka Scheme in County Meath which was part of an overall Scheme on the Tolka from Clonee to Fairview in Dublin City, and approximately €4 million was spent on the Mornington Scheme.

Louth County Council has submitted a study of the Bellurgan Embankment, Co Louth to the OPW. This is currently being assessed.

There are no further major scheme works currently being planned for Louth and Meath. The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) programme is examining areas of significant flood risk in the main river catchments nationally including in the Eastern region. Under the CFRAM Programme flood maps for these significant risk areas will be completed by the end of 2014 and Flood Risk Management Plans will be produced by 2016. The studies will consider the best possible options, both structural and non-structural, for dealing with the risks on a long term basis and, when completed, will form the basis for decision making on capital investment by the Government on long term flood mitigation infrastructure into the future.

It is open to Louth and Meath County Councils to submit applications in the future to the OPW for funding of minor works under the Minor Works scheme.

Heritage Sites

Questions (347)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

347. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Deparment has conducted any impact assessment on the outsourcing of management of heritage sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4016/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for about 780 National Monuments sites in State care. Maintenance and upkeep of these National Monuments is a statutory function of the Commissioners of Public Works under National Monuments legislation dating back to the 1930’s and is undertaken by experienced OPW architectural conservation staff and a network of skilled local direct labour based at 6 Depot locations around the country. In addition to the statutory function relating to the maintenance and upkeep of the National Monuments portfolio, the OPW is also responsible for the presentation of a number of sites to visitors. Currently, full guided visitor services are provided at 70 heritage sites each year; 24 of them presented on a fulltime basis and the remaining 46 on a seasonal basis generally within the period between April and September. In 2013, approx 4.2m visitors were admitted to these sites and a much greater number, perhaps in excess of 10m, visited the unattended sites within the entire estate.

As is apparent from the foregoing, maintenance of the National Monuments portfolio and the delivery of visitor services at even a relatively limited number of heritage sites is a considerable undertaking. Clearly, given the scale of this operation and bearing in mind the difficulties being experienced by the Exchequer in recent times, it has been incumbent on the OPW to examine the heritage portfolio in the same way as every other part of its responsibility and consider whether this service can be delivered more efficiently and with greater economy on behalf of the taxpayer. OPW is therefore considering a range of measures including outsourcing of non-core elements to private sector contractors. There are a range of functions such as maintenance and upkeep of modern visitor buildings for example that need not be performed by skilled National Monuments staff and which should therefore be done by others and arrangements are being made, where appropriate, to ensure that this happens.

The impact of the various measures that are being considered will be assessed relative to a number of key criteria including more efficient use of scarce skilled staff resources, financial economy and, perhaps most critically, whether there is a potential impact on the statutory function assigned to the Commissioners of Public Works for the maintenance and upkeep of the National Monument portfolio. The measures will also have regard to staff employed by the OPW and none of the initiatives being contemplated currently will involve the displacement of any serving staff.

Value for Money Reviews

Questions (348)

Micheál Martin

Question:

348. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the extra powers for the Comptroller and Auditor General as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7476/14]

View answer

Written answers

The commitment for enhanced powers for the Comptroller and Auditor General is being progressed as part of the wider public service reform agenda. The Programme for Government committed to giving the Comptroller and Auditor General extra powers to carry out value-for-money (VFM) audits of State programmes.  A number of meetings have been held between my Department and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General to discuss that proposal in the context of the overall mandate of the Comptroller and Auditor General, including the VFM, financial reporting and inspection mandates.

Any consideration of the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General must take account of initiatives for the management and reporting of public expenditure. This includes, for example, as part of the annual estimates process, the introduction and development of performance budgeting. Relevant developments at EU level include the introduction of common standards for the accounts of public bodies, while, as part of a joint initiative with the Department of Finance, recommendations made in a recent IMF Report on enhanced fiscal transparency are under consideration. Other significant developments include the consultation process currently underway on civil service accountability and performance.

The strengthening of accountability systems requires a clear sighted examination of the forms and structures of accountability that best support the broader agenda of public service reform and its core objective of high quality and more efficient provision of public services. This wider accountability framework includes the work of the Comptroller and Auditor General in terms of both financial auditing and value for money reports.

The Programme for Government commitments and associated reform proposals, including those relating to the Comptroller and Auditor General,  focus on enhancing  performance and accountability arrangements so that the public service can be empowered to be more effective and to demonstrate that well informed choices are being made as to how public money is spent.

Question No. 349 withdrawn.

Flood Risk Assessments

Questions (350)

Seán Kyne

Question:

350. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, following the very damaging recent storms, his Department will be carrying out a full assessment of flood defences and coastal protections around the coast, particularly the western seaboard and the offshore islands, in recognition of the damage caused to property, homes, businesses and agricultural lands; and if consideration will be given to an increase amount of rock-armour type flood defences considering that less damage was caused to locations with such a defence. [6329/14]

View answer

Written answers

It is a matter for the local authorities in the first instance to investigate and address flood defences and coastal protection issues generally in each county, including remedial works required on foot of damage from the storms of the 3rd and 6th of January 2014 and again on the 1st of February 2014.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government which is the Lead Government Department for the response to severe weather requested all local authorities to carry out assessments of the storm damage to public infrastructure and facilities with estimated costs of repair. Following receipt of the reports from local authorities the Department submitted a Report to Government on the overall position on storm damage. Based on this Report the Government decided to allocate up to €70 million funding to repair the damage, of which up to €20 million relates to damage to coastal protection infrastructure.

The Office of Public Works wrote on 10 January 2014 to City and County Managers in coastal areas indicating that it will accept applications under the Minor Works 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 www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by local authorities.

The question of the most appropriate form of coastal protection in any location, including rock armour type structures, is a matter for consideration by the relevant local authority in the first instance. In areas identified as being at greatest risk of damage to or loss of economic assets through coastal erosion or flooding, appropriate and sustainable measures should be identified by local authorities to protect those assets. Where intervention measures are economically justified on cost benefit grounds and compatible with all required environmental and other statutory requirements, these may implemented subject to the availability of resources. OPW's ongoing Catchment Flood Risk Management (CFRAM) study is addressing flood risk, including coastal flood risk, on a nationwide scale. Flood maps will be available later this year to include 90 at risk coastal areas and flood risk management plans with preferred options for dealing with flood risk for these areas are to be available in 2015.

Sick Pay Scheme Reform

Questions (351)

Michael Lowry

Question:

351. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the regulations to be brought forward in relation to the new sick leave scheme; when this regulation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9337/14]

View answer

Written answers

The new sick leave scheme is being introduced through Ministerial Regulations which are provided for in the recently enacted Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments)(Amendment) Act 2013.  The drafting of these Regulations has been a priority for my Department working closely with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel since the relevant legislation was enacted at the end of last year.  The Regulations are currently at an advanced stage of preparation and will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.

State Properties

Questions (352)

Michael McGrath

Question:

352. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the State currently claims ownership of Cobh Titanic or has at any stage in the past owned same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9382/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that the State Property Act, 1954 deals with the vesting of State  ownership of property.  If the Deputy will provide my Department with details of the basis on which he believes it might claim ownership of this facility, I will arrange for the matter to be looked into. 

Public Sector Reform Implementation

Questions (353)

Robert Dowds

Question:

353. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will summarise the recommendations of the public service reform plan; the progress to date in delivering the previous reform plan; if he will identify areas that require particular focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9429/14]

View answer

Written answers

On 14 January, I published the Government's new Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016. The new Plan outlines the key reform initiatives that will be implemented over the next three years.  It also addresses the broader ambition for reform towards 2020.  The four key themes running through this new Reform Plan are delivery of improved outcomes; utilisation of the reform dividend; digitalisation and open data; and openness and accountability.

While maintaining the drive for increased efficiency, this next phase of reform will have a greater focus on the delivery of improved outcomes for service users.  This will include greater use of alternative models of service delivery, such as commissioning for specific outcomes, and service delivery improvements at sectoral and organisational levels.

As well as changing how we deliver public services, we will continue to focus on increasing efficiency and productivity.  As efficiencies are realised through initiatives such as public procurement reform and shared services, some of the savings made will be re-invested in improved services.  This "Reform Dividend" will serve to underpin and help sustain the reform agenda beyond the current fiscal crisis.

The Public Service must make maximum use of new technologies, digitalisation and open data to deliver services in innovative ways.  A new Government ICT Strategy will be published later this year that will address the use of new and emerging technologies, ensuring that eGovernment is designed around real needs and taking steps to improve the take-up of 'digital government'.  As part of this new strategy, we are capturing data on the top transactional services on which the citizen engages with the State, which will help inform what further services will be put online.

The new plan also places a focus on increased openness, transparency and accountability.  Citizens must be able to clearly see that the Public Service is working fairly in its decision making, in implementing policy and in delivering public services.  In this context, the political reform programme will deliver greater openness, transparency and accountability to strengthen trust in government and public services and strengthen public governance.  A particularly important development is the recent publication of a consultation paper focused on options for strengthening Civil Service accountability and performance.

Last month, I also published a report setting out the considerable progress that has been made in reforming the Public Service since our first Reform Plan was published in 2011.  To provide just some examples:

- We are implementing a radical overhaul of our approach to public procurement, with the new Office of Government Procurement targeting savings of €500 million over the next three years;

- Peoplepoint, the Civil Service wide Human Resources and Pensions Shared Services Centre, has been operational since March last year.  It now services over 24,000 employees across 19 organisations.  When it becomes fully operational in January 2015, it will provide services to 40 organisations with estimated savings of €12.5 million annually;

- An Action Plan to deliver efficiencies in the State's extensive property portfolio is currently being implemented;

- We have issued over 500,000 Public Services Cards.  The Cards are currently being used for social welfare payments and the free travel scheme, and we are considering extension of the Card to cover a greater range of services;

- The Office of Government Chief Information Officer has been established within my Department to maximise the potential benefits of digitalisation in delivering services and information;

- The Government services portal - www.gov.ie - now includes quick links to more than 400 information and transaction services;

- A series of public expenditure reforms have been implemented to bring greater structure, scrutiny and openness to budgeting;

- We are making good progress in implementing our programme of political and legislative reform, aimed at enhancing openness, transparency and accountability; and

- The Haddington Road Agreement, which came into effect on 1 July, 2013, is a key enabler of the reform programme and will deliver an additional €1 billion reduction in the cost of the Public Service pay and pensions bill by 2016.  The Agreement also provides for a total of 15 million additional working hours annually across all sectors of the Public Service.

The full Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 and the Progress Report can be seen at reformplan.per.gov.ie.

Land Transfers

Questions (354)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

354. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8714/14]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the legal formalities for this transaction have been concluded. This completes the transfer of these lands to Kerry County Council.

Heritage Sites

Questions (355)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

355. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8715/14]

View answer

Written answers

The position in relation to funding for the operations at Skellig Michael and other Heritage sites under the care of the OPW remains challenging in 2014, with fewer resources available to run the sites this year than in 2013.

In addition, given the recent extremely poor weather, it is also apparent that there can be no guarantee that staff and visitors will be in a position to access the site with any regularity during the April / May period and the outlook in terms of being able to bring staff and visitors safely to the Island in the earlier part of the year remains deeply uncertain.

Given these circumstances. it has been decided to maintain the opening date for the Island for 2014 at mid May, with the most likely date being 16th May. The commencement of operations on this date however is contingent on OPW maintenance staff being able to access the site for a sufficient period prior to this in order to perform essential maintenance, safety preparation and winter debris clearance tasks in order to render the site fit to receive visitors safely. If OPW staff is unable to reach the Island in a timely way to perform these tasks, or if it is delayed in its completion by adverse weather, the proposed opening date may not be feasible. However, in line with its general policy of facilitating the greatest possible access to the Monument, the OPW will commit to do all possible to achieve this date. As is normal, the precise opening date will be publicised locally in the media and on www.heritageireland.ie when it has been finally determined.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Questions (356)

Michael Creed

Question:

356. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding an interdepartmental competition in 2014 for assistant principal positions within the Public Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9547/14]

View answer

Written answers

In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have overarching responsibility for staffing matters in the Civil Service. Decisions on the holding of competitions to fill posts in particular grades are taken in the context of the anticipated demand for those grades as informed by a number of matters including returns submitted to my Department in Departmental Workforce Plans. Consideration is currently being given to the need to fill posts in a number of grades including Assistant Principal but no decisions have yet been made.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (357)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

357. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff currently seconded to his Department from external companies; the company from which each person is seconded; and the role of each in his Department. [9584/14]

View answer

Written answers

While staff are seconded from time to time from other Government Departments and the wider Public Service, there are currently no staff  seconded to this Department from external companies.

We are currently collating information in relation to our use of external companies on a contract for service basis and will follow-up with a more detailed reply when this exercise is complete.

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration

Questions (358)

John Lyons

Question:

358. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the chief executive officers, CEOs, of semi-State companies who are on Hay contracts and those who are not on Hay contracts; if it remains his policy that the CEOs of semi-State companies are employed under such contracts; and if it is within the remit of the boards of semi-State companies to offer contracts to CEOs that differ from Hay contract terms. [9599/14]

View answer

Written answers

Following recommendations by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector in 1996, the then Government adopted new arrangements for the system of setting the remuneration of CEOs of Commercial State Bodies.  Hay Management Consultants were commissioned to review the pay of these posts based on comparison with posts of similar weight in the private sector.  In July 1999 the Government approved the new approach to the determination of the remuneration of the CEOs of Commercial State Bodies. A further review, again carried out by Hay Consultants, was undertaken and implemented in 2007.

In June, 2011 this Government as part of the implementation of pay ceilings for Senior Public Sector posts made significant changes to the payment arrangements for Chief Executive Officers in Commercial State Bodies.  The salary ranges that apply to newly appointed CEOs in Commercial State Companies were reduced subject to a general pay ceiling of €250,000 per annum (subject to limited exceptions)  which has the effect of both reducing the salary for all CEOs in a proportionate manner while maintaining the weightings which reflect the different scale and responsibilities associated with the individual posts. 

While the chief executive is employed by the relevant organisation, it is a standard statutory requirement that contract terms for CEOs of Commercial State Bodies are subject to the approval of the relevant line Minister given with my consent as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

There are no Commercial State Bodies under the aegis of my Department and I understand the question has been copied to other Departments for direct reply.

Coastal Protection

Questions (359)

Tom Fleming

Question:

359. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider introducing two separate grant aid schemes for coastal protection and flood relief works, one in respect of public infrastructure and the second in respect of the protection of homes, businesses, private lands and so on; if he and his officials discussed this matter with officials from Kerry County Council as a matter of priority as there is conflicting information being given out that is causing great confusion; if he will put in place a clear directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9602/14]

View answer

Written answers

I assume that the reference in the Deputy's question to a grant scheme refers to the funding of up to €20m which the Government has decided may be made available to local authorities to assist them in the cost of repair to damaged coastal defence infrastructure. This is part of the overall amount of up to €70m which the Government has decided to make available towards the cost of damage to all public infrastructure and amenities. The funding in respect of repair of damaged coastal defences will be made available through the Office of Public Works Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

Most of the damage caused by the New Year storms was to public infrastructure in coastal areas including piers, roads, car parks and coastal protection structures such as sea walls, embankments etc.. The Government decided that to respond effectively to the needs of the local communities most affected by the severe storms it would provide financial assistance to the relevant local authorities to facilitate them in immediately carrying out of a programme of prioritised repair and remediation works to assist the communities worst affected especially those in areas relying on the tourism industry. It is a matter for the local authorities to identify and address the priority areas and structures for which funding is to be sought. Any works undertaken by the local authorities on repairing coastal defence infrastructure will ensure that the protection afforded to homes, businesses and lands by those defence structures is restored to its pre-storms level.

Financial assistance is not available from the OPW to property owners in relation to individual property protection.

The OPW is satisfied that the position on the basis of financial assistance to be provided to local authorities in respect of storm damage was set out clearly in its letter of 10 January 2014 to the local authorities.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Questions (360)

Tom Fleming

Question:

360. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the fact that local authorities had prepared and agreed their budgets prior to the storm damage and the restrictions that have been put in place in respect of their borrowings, if he will review the requirement to put up 10% matching funding as this will put a major strain on council resources and will prevent a large number of important projects from proceeding; if he will now accept that this is a national crisis and provide 100% grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9612/14]

View answer

Written answers

As Government has approved an allocation of funding for the repair of public flood defence infrastructure damaged in recent storm events, the OPW will grant 100% of such costs to Local Authorities under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

As stated in the letter OPW sent on 10th January, 2014 to City and County Managers, this is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre-storm condition.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Questions (361)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

361. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the applications received by his Department from Donegal County Council in respect of flooding damage including the amount requested and a list of works and details of damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9640/14]

View answer

Written answers

The table below details the applications received by the Office of Public Works from Donegal County Council following the January and February 2014 coastal storms. The applications are currently being assessed, in conjunction with applications received from other local authorities, and the Council will be notified of the outcome of this process shortly.

From an initial examination of the applications however, it appears that some of the damage indicated relates to non coastal protection infrastructure and so would not be a matter for the OPW eg damage to shore paths, boardwalks, car-parks, life guard facilities etc.. This will be followed-up with the Council.

Details of Donegal Coastal Flooding Storm Damage applications received under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme

Location

Funding Requested

Damage Details

Proposed Works

Inver Village

€59,584

Existing defences damaged and washed away a lot of material behind.

To extend and raise rock armour works previously placed further along.

Isle of Roy

€56,000

Existing causeway parapet wall was badly damaged and required protection to prevent the island being cut off.

To build 210m of rock armour and repair parapets section.

Moville Shore Path

€70,000

Large scale damage to shore path.

Repair damaged sections of shore path and build new case walls to support path.

Ards Flood Barrier

€103,500

Existing Sea Defence breached and washed away during Jan and Feb Storms.

It is proposed to re-set the existing embankment and flood gates, however advice required from OPW on type and extent of repair work.  The OPW has visited this site in Jan 2014.

Keadue, Rosnakill

€93,666

Existing Sea wall washed away during Dec and Jan Storms.

It is proposed to proposed to rebuild 63m of retaining wall using masonry blocks and to build 190m of Rock Armour in front of retaining Wall.

Shore Road, Mountcharles

€50,500

Recent storms damaged existing defences and washed away a lot of material behind.

Propose to extend and raise rock armour works previously placed further along.

Maghery Strand

€85,000

Existing Sea Defence washed away during Jan and Feb Storms. It was a soft specialist sea defence. See Report from University of Ulster attached.

It is proposed to re-establish the system that was in place before storm i.e. the proposed system as per the University of Ulster report.

Lisfannon Beach

€60,000

Dune erosion, destruction of access road and car parking, signage and lifeguard facilities at Blue Flag Beach.

Construct new access roadway and parking area at beach.  Approx 280m x 7m.

Killybegs Shore Road

€67,000

Existing coastal protection washed away resulting in footpath and wall being undermined.

Fill voids under wall and footpath with concrete (this may have to be done by hand) and then place new rock armour along the length of the works.

Buncrana Shore Walk

€47,850

Existing Sea Defence washed away during Jan and Feb Storms.

It is proposed to re-set existing boulders and import replacement boulders as required.

Ray Rathmullan

€46,370

Existing coastal protection damaged and washed away during Dec and Jan Storms.

It is proposed to build 135m of Rock Armour in along damaged coast to protect road and land and to repair Slipway.

Beagh Bridge

€12,400

Damaged retaining wall and sand/muck build up through stone arch road crossing.

It is proposed to rebuild the stone walls that have cracked and clean the archway crossing of sand and muck build up.

Ballyiriston

€16,400

Damaged retaining wall capping and sand/muck build up through stone arch road crossing.

It is proposed to rebuild the capping and repoint the wall where cracked and clean the archway crossing of sand and muck build up.

Creevy Pier, Ballyshannon

€30,000

Recent storms damaged existing defences and washed away a lot of material.

It is propose to carry out repairs to the sea wall, and add additional rock armour to protect the public road.

Culoort Road, Malin Head

€100,000

Storm surge has washed away embankment and road.

Reconstruct the embankment and rebuilt the road 5m wide.

Trabeg Beach, Downings

€49,419

Embankment supporting road as slipped down un to beach.

It is proposed to build Rock Amour along the beach and construct an embankment on top of the rock armour to road level.

Fintragh Beach, Killybegs

€29,500

Recent storms damaged/dislodged existing rock armour defences.

Remove all dislodged Rock Armour and import further rock and rebuild again along the length of the car park wall.

Melmore Seawall

€32,801

Material behind existing seawall washed out by January Storms and seawall in poor condition.

It proposed to infill behind the existing retaining wall and lay rock armour in front of wall. It will also be necessary to repair a 10m section of road that this slippage is occurring by building a side slope on the Rock.

Maghery Dunes

€25,000

Existing Sea Defence washed away during Jan and Feb Storms.

It is proposed to re-set any existing boulders and import new replacement boulders as required.

Milbay Beach, Inch Island

€80,000

Sea protection wall undermined in recent storms and road washed away.

Repair / Rebuild damaged sections of sea wall.  Repair damaged road, replacing unprotected sections with a concrete pavement.  The alternative is to build a wall along the full roadway which would be costly and not in keeping with the area.

Westend Car Park

€10,000

Existing Sea Defence washed away during Jan and Feb Storms.

It is proposed to rebuild the wall.

Curransport 'The Durline'

€11,000

Existing Sea Defence Boulders washed away during Jan and Feb Storms and smaller boulders deposited at mouth of river impeding flow and causing flooding upstream.

It is proposed to re-set existing boulders and import replacement boulders for the sea defences. Excess cobbles in river course will be removed.

Ranamona Island Causeway

€11,000

Existing Sea Defence washed away during Jan and Feb Storms.

It is proposed to re-set existing boulders and import replacement boulders as required.

Dungloe Pier

€9,600

Fix damaged stone retaining wall and replace Rock Armour where it has been damaged or moved.

It is proposed to rebuild the stone wall where damaged and repoint the wall where cracked.  It is also proposed to replace the rock armour that is damaged.

Rossnowlagh Beach

€9,900

Recent storms damaged existing access road to the beach.

It is proposed to build rock armour to protect the access and carry our surface repairs to the roadway.

Buncronan

€5,200

Existing gabions damaged by recent storms, replace or strengthen with rock armour.

Install rock armour to provide additional protection.

Main Beach, Bundoran

€5,000

Existing Sea Defence displaced during Jan and Feb Storms.

It is proposed to re-set the existing boulders and import boulders to strengthen the end points of the rock armour.

Whitestrand, Rathmullan

€74,258

Existing coastal protection washed away during Dec and Jan Storms.

It is proposed to build 260m of Rock Armour in along damaged coast to protect road and football pitch.

Rossbeg

€23,500

Damaged retaining wall and road.

It is proposed to provide Rock armour to the outside of the existing wall to add strength and prevent/reduce overtopping of wall onto roadway behind.

Aranmore Island

€40,000

Existing Sea Defence washed away during Jan and Feb Storms.

It is proposed to re-set existing boulders with minimal importation of replacement boulders.

Tory Island

€12,000

Existing Sea Defence displaced during Jan and Feb Storms.

It is proposed to re-set the existing boulders.

Gola Island

€7,500

Existing Sea Defence washed away during Jan and Feb Storms.

It is proposed to re-set the existing boulders.

Lagg Beach, Malin

€50,000

Storm surge has washed away car park and road.

Reconstruct breakwater embankment.

Magheragallon

€75,000

Tidal storm surge eroded beach and road along beach.

It is proposed to import and set boulders at sea defences. It is also proposed to rebuild existing non-council roadway.

Cruit Island

€9,000

Damaged boardwalk.

It is proposed to construct a new boardwalk (however this cost is not part of this application). It is proposed to provide adequate sea defence to protect the new boardwalk when it is constructed.

Mullaghderg

€7,500

Existing timber beach access ramp partially swept away.

It is proposed to re-set existing timber supports and rebuild washed away ramp.

Bunaninver, Gweedore

€5,000

Existing timber beach access ramp partially swept away.

It is proposed to re-set existing timber supports and rebuild washed away ramp.

Port Arthur Boardwalk

€5,250

High seas damaged boardwalk.

It is proposed to re-set uprights and boardwalk timbers.

Promenade, Bundoran

€6,000

Existing pedestrian railing badly damaged during Jan and Feb Storms.

Replace pedestrian barrier.

Trabeg Beach Caravan Park

€80,000

Existing coastal protection damaged and washed away during Dec and Jan Storms.

It is proposed to build 541m of Rock Armour 2m high along damaged coast to protect the Caravan Park.

Clós Phádraig Housing Estate

€200,000

The river has destroyed / damaged the gabion walls that protect the back garden of the housing estate. As a result, the river is now eroding the unprotected embankments, eating away the back gardens of the housing estate.

It is proposed to removed the existing failed gabion wall along the entire length of the housing estate.  A new retaining wall / gabion wall system is to be erected in its place.  In addition scour protection is to be provided to the existing concrete support of the mains sewer pipe that crosses the river.

Ballyhiernan Bay

€562,000

Existing coastal protection damaged and washed away during Dec and Jan Storms.

It is proposed to build 1791m of Rock Armour 3m high along damaged coast to protect the Caravan Parks.

Islandmore, Lifford

€200,000

Some of the existing embankments are collapsing as a result of continuous erosion.

It is proposed to create new embankments or carry out maintenance on existing weakened embankments around the entire island. Rock armour may be required in specific locations around the island to prevent further erosion.

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