Coastal Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Questions (365)

Tom Fleming

Question:

365. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount allocated to Kerry County Council for coastal protection works and flood relief measures following the winter storms and flooding; the expenditure to date of this designated funding to County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34133/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Following on the Government Decision of 11 February 2014, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating that, based on the estimate submitted by the Council to that Department, up to €1,226,920 is available to the Council via the Office of Public Works (OPW) to undertake the necessary repair works to damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure.

The Council submitted an overall programme of works to the DoECLG detailing how it proposes to spend the total allocation and submitted the relevant elements of its programme to the OPW. The OPW reviewed the programme having regard to related guidance issued by the DoECLG to the local authorities and notified the Council that it was approved.

Kerry County Council has not drawn down any of the allocated funding to date. The OPW understands that repair works are ongoing and that the Council expects to draw down most of the allocated funding before the end of the year.