Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
600. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood alleviation works at Tullig, Castleisland, County Kerry, including the reason works have not been carried out despite assurances of funding being provided a number of years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9664/16]
View answerLocal flooding issues are a matter in the first instance for each local authority to investigate and address. The local authority may carry out flood alleviation works using its own resources or, if necessary, apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases of flooding where a solution can be readily identified by a local authority and achieved in a short time frame. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. The scheme's eligibility criteria can be viewed on the OPW website www.opw.ie
The OPW approved funding of €144,000 under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme to Kerry County Council (KCC) in 2014 with a further €58,520 approved in 2016 for flood mitigation works at the above location. €10,567 of the allocated funding has been drawn down to date.
The advancement of these works is a matter for the Council. I am advised that some of the works in the application have been undertaken and that other works are to take place in the near future.
