Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
94. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the necessary funding will be provided as a matter of urgency to carry out emergency improvement works to the embankment at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8097/20]
View answerThe 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. These maintenance works relate to arterial drainage schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995.
The embankment in question does not form part of any arterial drainage scheme under the auspices of this office.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. For areas not covered by the Arterial Drainage Maintenance Programme, the OPW operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. It is open to all Local Authorities to submit a funding application under the 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. Any application received is considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.
