asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the serious position in Cobh, County Cork, in relation to the possible recurrence of landslides such as happened in February 1980 with fatal consequences; if he views the situation as serious; if it is intended to make a 100 per cent grant available to Cobh UDC to finance remedial works where necessary; and if there is any grant or financial aid available from the EEC to help with this problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cobh (County Cork) Landslides.
21.
I have visited the area to see the position. I appreciate the concern of the council and residents and I am anxious that the local authority should continue with necessary investigations and works so that risks may be identified, and dealt with by whatever means are possible.
The present position is as follows:
(1) A loan of £167,000 has been sanctioned in respect of remedial works already undertaken by the council and the council are receiving 100 per cent recoupment of loan charges in respect of that borrowing.
(2) I understand that the council are about to make application for approval to borrow a further £50,000 for additional remedial works which have been undertaken. It has been conveyed to the council that such a proposal will be approved, and that there will be 100 per cent recoupment of loan charges.
(3) The council have also raised the question of further expenditure on investigations and remedial works at various other potential danger areas in the town. In November last an inspector from my Department carried out an inspection of these areas jointly with the council's consultants. Following that inspection the council were informed that tenders should be invited for six areas and that a further examination should be made in other areas with a view to establishing the need for remedial works or monitoring, and to enable sketch schemes and estimates to be prepared where necessary. I will be in touch with the council in regard to the financing of further works as soon as the proposals and estimates for these schemes are submitted. The necessary finance will be provided for approved works.
It is not evident at this stage that financial assistance from the EEC will be available towards the expenditure involved but this possibility will be further explored.
When will the Minister notify Cobh Urban Council that these funds are available to them?
They are aware already but in relation to the first group I spoke to, they will be informed in the next ten days or a fortnight or maybe less. In relation to the other ones we will have to wait until the survey is done and the estimate of the cost has been arrived at.
Does the Minister have the consultants' fees of the Cobh Urban Council included in those estimates when they prepared the survey which they presented in a deputation in November? Are those fees included in this amount?
Possibly yes, but I am not absolutely sure. I will have to inquire about that and let the Deputy know.
Will the Minister include in this a monitoring system and have a system implemented that will monitor the dangerous areas and also the areas where work has already been carried out if that work is satisfactory?
Yes. I have said that already in my reply.