Weather Events Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2018

Thursday, 18 January 2018

Questions (68)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

68. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if assessments have been carried out by the Office of Public Works on the damage caused by recent storms and particularly Storm Eleanor to the coast of County Galway at Leenane, Oranmore, Clarinbridge, Galway city and other locations; the progress made in drawing up a list of works for funding; the locations and nature of proposed works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2571/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran)

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is the lead Government Department with responsibility for co-ordinating the national emergency response for severe weather events such as Storms Ophelia and Eleanor. In discharging the Department's responsibilities in that role, the Major Emergency Management Unit of the Department co-ordinates, collates and reports on assessments of the impact of the severe weather event carried out by the relevant local authorities.

The Office of Public Works therefore has not undertaken an assessment of the damage caused by the recent storms as this would be a matter for the local authorities in the first instance who would report the results of those assessments to the lead co-ordinating Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.