Drainage Schemes Status

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Questions (418)

Tom Fleming

Question:

418. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will remove the large bank of gravel in the middle of the Laune River, in the vicinity of Laune Bridge, Killorglin, County Kerry as homes, properties and businesses in the area are continuously at risk to flooding; if he will take into consideration that experts are saying this is one of the main reasons for flooding in the area and the fact that the next high tides are forecast for the end of March; if he will come to the assistance of this community, as they cannot any longer afford the cost of protecting their homes, properties and businesses from tidal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12998/14]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The River Laune is not a designated channel under an Office of Public Works (OPW) arterial drainage scheme and therefore the OPW is not responsible for its maintenance. The channel is in a Drainage District and its maintenance is the responsibility of 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 be in a position to 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.