Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:358. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify a matter regarding coastal protection works in County Kerry (details supplied). [33668/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 17 September 2014
Ceisteanna (358)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 specifically addressed the allocation of funding for the repair of existing infrastructure damaged by storms in the period of 13 December to 6 January 2014. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating, based on the estimate submitted by the Council to that Department, that up to €1,226,920 was being made available to the Council via the Office of Public Works (OPW) to undertake the necessary repair works to damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure.
The estimates submitted by Kerry County Council to the DoECLG included for strengthening works at Incherea and both repair and strengthening works at Cromane Lower but, as stated in the parliamentary reply of 13 May, strengthening works fall outside of the scope of the Government Decision. Only the repair element of projects such as that at Cromane Lower are covered under the allocation. The programme of works the Council submitted to the OPW detailing how it proposes to spend the total allocation of €1,226,920 included for repairs to a coastal embankment at Cromane Lower. This programme is approved and it is now open to the Council to draw down this funding.
The Council will need to address their proposals for strengthening works at both Incherea and Cromane Lower separately and outside of the current process which is aimed at repairs and emergency works.