Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2014
86. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flooding alleviation projects to be carried out in the Ballyduff area of County Kerry, in view of the flooding that has taken place over the past number of winters. [37474/14]
View answer87. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flooding alleviation projects to be carried out in the Cashen area of County Kerry, in view of the flooding that has taken place over the past number of winters. [37475/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.
Moneycashen, which consists of parts of the townlands of Kilmore, Cloghane & Knoppoge in the Cashen area, was identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) as a location where coastal flood risk was potentially significant. A detailed assessment is being carried out under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study. The Office of Public Works is currently undertaking this in partnership with the relevant local authorities including Kerry County Council. Draft flood maps have been produced for Moneycashen and were subject to a public consultation day that was held in Ballyduff on 24th September 2014. Feedback from that event and a forthcoming national consultation process will be taken account of before the flood maps are finalised. Subsequent phases of the Shannon CFRAM Study will involve an options assessment process followed by the preparation of Flood Risk Management Plans. Further information and updates on the Shannon CFRAM Study are available on www.shannoncframstudy.ie.
The Office of Public Works has recently completed the refurbishment of 2,000m of flood defences on the River Cashen at Derryco and other works are ongoing in the area. OPW has also recently extended flood defences at Rahoonagh on the Cashen for a length of 500m to provide protection to a number of houses in the area.
OPW has also carried out an examination of the feasibility of dredging the River Feale/Cashen estuary. This examination has concluded that while this dredging would provide some relief to the flooding problem in the area, it is likely to cost several million euro, and that there is little likelihood of funding for this being available in the foreseeable future. Further, because this area is a Special Area of Conservation and a Natural Heritage Area of European importance, significant constraints will apply to any work. In the short to medium term, the OPW will consider the installation of localised pumping facilities as funds and resources allow, in the polders worst affected by flooding.
