Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 6

Written Answers. - Storm Damage.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

174 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment if he has received an application from Cork County Council for grant aid for Ballycotton, Goleen and other coastal areas of County Cork where repair work is urgently required arising from recent storm damage; if it is intended to sanction funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

I have received a report from Cork County Council, and from other local authorities, outlining the extent of the damage caused to public property during severe weather in October and December 1989. In the case of Cork county, the report includes information about the cost of damage in the Midleton area which, I understand, covers Ballycotton and Gyleen.

As I indicated in reply to an Adjournment debate on 7 February 1990, road grants totalling £1 million have been notified to local authorities in areas affected by the October and December storms by way of assistance towards the cost of remedial works to roads and bridges which fall within the area of responsibility of my Department.

Much of the damage caused by the December storms which affected the east and south coast appears to relate to coastal defences. I understand that the local authorities concerned have raised this aspect with the Department of the Marine.

With regard to the storms which have occurred within the past week or so, I have asked local authorities to prepare reports in relation to damage to public property falling within my area of responsibility. When these reports have been received, I will consider appropriate action.

In any event, it is open to local authorities to use the significantly increased discretionary grants for regional and county roads notified for 1990 to undertake remedial works on these roads arising from the recent storms. The grants to county councils under this heading amount to £63.1 million in 1990 compared with £47.4 million in 1989 and £33.4 million in 1988.