Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014
534. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to approve further funding to Galway County Council for storm remedial and prevention works sent to the directorate for fire and emergency management on 7 April 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49042/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decided on 11 February 2014 to allocate funding of up to €69.5 million to local authorities in the areas worst affected by the first phase of severe weather in respect of the damage caused between 13 December 2013 and 6 January 2014. This was intended to help communities by restoring roads, coastal protection, amenities/ facilities and other public infrastructure which had been damaged. It was agreed that the funding would be made available via the Votes of the appropriate Departments, viz Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine; the Office of Public Works; and my Department.
My Department had an initial role in collating details and costs of damage in the immediate aftermath of the severe weather, based on returns and estimates provided by local authorities. However, the other Departments and Offices above are liaising directly with the local authorities on funding which falls under their remit. The costs which fall under my Department’s remit are in respect of the actual response, clean-up and immediate works necessary (current costs incurred) and capital costs in relation to tourism infrastructure, certain piers and harbours in charge of the local authorities and other local authority facilities.
As regards Galway County Council, my Department has recouped in full all claims received from the Council to date relating to both the first phase of severe weather and the second phase from 27 January to 17 February 2014, totalling €478,000 in respect of current costs and €338,297 in respect of capital costs. All claims are, of course, certified by the Council on the basis of monies already expended. Provision has been made in the Estimates of my Department for a further €10 million in 2015 in respect of storm-related capital costs incurred by local authorities. The 2015 funding position will be kept under review over the course of the year and any further claims submitted by Galway County Council will be considered accordingly.
