Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2014
87. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide additional funding to assist embankment repair works at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34979/14]
View answer88. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address flooding problems at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34980/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 specifically addressed the allocation of funding for the repair of existing public infrastructure damaged by storms in the period of 13th December to 6th January 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 was being made available to the Council via the OPW to undertake the necessary repair works to damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure.
The estimates submitted by Kerry County Council to the DoECLG included for strengthening works at Incherea, Glenbeigh and both repair and strengthening works at Cromane Lower. However, strengthening works fall outside of the scope of the Government Decision. Only the repair element of projects such as that at Cromane Lower is covered under the allocation. The programme of works the Council submitted to the OPW detailing how it proposes to spend the total allocation of €1,226,920 included an amount of €30,000 for repairs to a coastal embankment at Cromane Lower. This programme is approved and it is now open to the Council to draw down this funding.
The Council will need to address the strengthening works at Cromane Lower and Incherea separately and outside of the current process aimed at repairs and emergency works either by utilising its own resources for this purpose or through an application for funding to the OPW.
Applications by the Council to the OPW for funding for works that fall outside of the storm damage funding envelope will be considered having regard to the relevant eligibility criteria and the overall availability of funds for flood risk management.
