Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 March 2025
455. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if emergency coastal protection works will be carried out at Rossbeigh beach, Glenbeigh, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11115/25]
View answer456. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if emergency coastal protection works will be carried out at Waterville, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11116/25]
View answer457. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if emergency flood protection works will be carried out to the embankment at Incherea, Glenbeigh, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11117/25]
View answer458. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if emergency flood protection works will be carried out to the embankment at Cromane Point, Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11119/25]
View answer459. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if emergency flood protection works will be carried out to the embankment at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11120/25]
View answer460. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if emergency flood protection works will be carried out to the embankment at Glosha, Cromane, Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11121/25]
View answer461. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if emergency flood protection works will be carried out to the embankment at Dooks, Glenbeigh, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11122/25]
View answer462. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if emergency flood protection works will be carried out to the embankment at Tullig, Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11123/25]
View answer463. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will take into consideration the major problems being faced by homeowners and landowners and designate County Kerry as a pilot area for emergency coastal and flood protection works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11124/25]
View answer464. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to carry out emergency coastal protection works at Stookisland, Cromane Upper, Killorglin, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11145/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 455 to 464, inclusive, together.
The Office of Public Works, as the lead agency for flood risk management, is co-ordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s National Flood Risk Policy.
In 2018, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State: the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect over 95% of that risk. Some 150 additional flood relief schemes were identified through this Programme.
Through three staff funded by the OPW, Kerry County Council is leading the delivery of four flood relief schemes for Tralee, Kenmare, Banna and Abbeydorney that are in the first tranche of schemes, nationally.
As it is not feasible to deliver all flood relief schemes concurrently (due to limited capacity in the OPW, the local authorities, and in the specialised consultancy market), the flood-relief delivery programme was subdivided into two tranches, focusing initially on Tranche I schemes and those already in the delivery pipeline. Under the national programme, work has yet to commence on the design of some 54 Tranche II flood relief schemes. There are five further schemes planned for County Kerry.
The OPW continues to liaise closely with Kerry County Council to ensure that the programme of flood relief projects identified for Co. Kerry is kept under review, and that all projects will be commenced as soon as possible.
Clieveragh Advance Works
As advance works ahead of the Listowel scheme, the OPW is providing funding of almost €2 million to Kerry County Council for flood relief works in Listowel. This funding has been used for flood defences to protect some 50 properties at risk from flooding in the Clieveragh area in Listowel.
The OPW is carrying out these works by direct labour, and commenced work in February, 2024. They are currently undertaking Phase 3 of this project to ensure the scheme provides the appropriate level of protection.
Tranche II Pilot
The OPW is piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes through four Tranche II schemes in counties Kilkenny and Donegal, which is referred to as the Tranche II Pilot. There are two Tranche II Pilot Schemes in County Kilkenny (Freshford and Piltown) and two schemes in County Donegal (Donegal Town and Letterkenny).
The Tranche II Pilot will transfer the management of data gathering, as a first step in designing a scheme, from consultant engineers for a single scheme to the local authorities for all schemes in the Pilot and, where feasible, within their areas of responsibility. The Pilot means that data gathering may be scaled up from individual communities to all schemes in a county. The Pilot will better inform the prioritisation of future schemes nationally and the scope of services required from consultants to design and construct flood relief schemes.
The Pilot’s Technical Working Group and Steering Group have been established, with both groups having recently met in late 2024. Significant preparatory work is underway, with the range of information and data-gathering requirements currently being considered and outlined.
Coastal Protection
The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy are being implemented. Amongst the key recommendations of the Report is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is responsible for chairing an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. These assessments will build upon indicative assessment work previously undertaken by the OPW under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study, and comprise a substantial, multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally, and then in detail at higher risk locations as a basis for then determining potential viable works to manage this risk. This work will contribute to the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme
Coastal protection and localised flooding issues are matters, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Applications for funding from local authorities for measures or studies costing up to €750,000 can be made under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the total cost is available, subject to meeting specific economic, technical, social, and environmental criteria.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of approximately €4.2 million to County Kerry for more than 40 projects. This includes approved funding of approximately €2.8 million for some 19 coastal erosion related studies or projects in County Kerry. Projects subject to approved funding are the responsibility of the relevant local authority to advance.
