Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2015
220. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the serious damage caused to the costal protection and sea defences of a beach (details supplied) in County Donegal following recent adverse weather conditions; his plans to repair these sea defences and remedy this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3750/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for identifying appropriate measures to address damage to coastal defence infrastructure at Maghera Beach, Glenties rests with Donegal County Council in the first instance.
It is open to the Council to utilise its own resources, or to avail of funding that might be available from other sources to deal with the issue. However, the Office of Public Works (OPW) would consider an application for funding from the Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for mitigation measures that meet the Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that the works have a cost/benefit ratio of at least 1.5:1 and are estimated to cost not more that €500,000. Proposals for larger scale works would require more detailed technical, environmental and economic assessment by the Council. The provision of funding by the OPW would also have regard to the OPW's overall allocation for flood risk management.
