Flood Relief Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Questions (150)

John Brassil

Question:

150. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to address the issue of flooding at the R551 road at Ballyheigue, County Kerry (details supplied). [17833/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Local flooding issues are, in the first instance, a matter for each local authority to investigate and address.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) carries out a programme of Arterial Drainage Maintenance to a total of 11,500 km of river channel and approximately 730 km of embankments nationally. These maintenance works relate to arterial drainage schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. The OPW has a statutory duty to maintain the completed schemes in proper repair and effective condition. Maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts, known as Drainage Districts, is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority.

The area mentioned in the deputy’s question Akeragh Lough Drainage District is a Drainage District and it is the responsibility of Kerry County Council (KCC) to maintain all channels and structures in this scheme in good repair and working order. The OPW has no responsibility for the maintenance of the drainage network in this area.

In relation to coastal erosion and flooding, it is the responsibility of KCC to assess the local erosion problems in this area and to develop and implement a management plan and any viable measures to address the erosion issues there.

KCC applied for and was approved funding of €150,000 in March 2018 under the Office of Public Works' Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to carry out a Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study of Ballyheigue as part of the Ballyheigue-Banna-Carrahare and Brandon Bay Maherees study.

A single study was approved given the proximity of these locations. The final study extent will be updated and agreed in advance with OPW.

KCC is currently progressing this study.

Question No. 151 answered with Question No. 146.