Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
195. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to engage with a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to address the flooding issues affecting a holding and the immediate locality; if the Office of Public Works will consider this person's proposals for remedial works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5486/16]
View answerThe locality mentioned by the Deputy does not include any part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for channel maintenance in this area.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Kerry County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The Office of Public Works operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. It is open to the Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the scheme's eligibility criteria.
