Vol. 571 No. 1
1316 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if his Department, in conjunction with Mayo County Council, will immediately investigate the number of incidents of landslides in north Mayo which have occurred over the years; and if it is possible to get an assessment of the whole North Mayo area carried out. [21279/03]
1317 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if anybody from his Department examined the damage which was done in Pullathomas, Dooncartin, Barnacullew and Glengad, north Mayo, during the recent landslide; if any package of compensation has been put in place; the plans he has to put a package of compensation in place for the infrastructure and for the individual residents affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21280/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1316 and 1317 together.
My Department is maintaining liaison with Mayo County Council in relation to the situation in the Pullathomas area of north Mayo following the landslide which occurred on 19 September 2003.
I have received a detailed report from a senior official of my Department, who visited the area, on the extent and nature of the damage to roads and bridges and I understand that Mayo County Council has engaged consultant geologists to assess the risk of further landslides and to advise on precautionary and remedial action. Some interim repairs of infrastructure have already been put in place by Mayo County Council and ESB.
It is intended that the more permanent reinstatement of infrastructures will be addressed under the non-national roads programme administered by my Department and the CLÁR programme administered by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, on the basis of detailed assessments and of the developing situation. The scope and nature of the assistance required will be determined in this context.
