Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2752. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the engagement he has had following a meeting (details supplied) to provide funding for the repair of Swan Park in Buncrana, County Donegal; if funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34734/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA meeting was organised by the Government Chief Whip and Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh, to discuss funding for the restoration of Swan Park in Buncrana which was damaged following an extreme pluvial rainfall event which occurred in the Inishowen Peninsula area of Donegal on 22 August 2017. An official of my Department attended this meeting.
Funding for repair of public infrastructure is undertaken by the relevant Department(s) in line with sectoral responsibilities. Each Government Department liaises directly with relevant local authorities in relation to funding of repairs and restoration being carried out.
Since 2009, my Department has made financial support available to assist local authorities in meeting the costs of clean-up and necessary immediate works associated with significant severe weather emergency events. This is in recognition of the exceptional nature of activities carried out by local authorities in responding to these types of emergencies and the fact that the costs of these un-programmed activities cannot be met from within existing resources. My Department’s support scheme for local authorities does not include funding for capital repair works.
Under the arrangements for recouping response and clean-up costs, following a request from Donegal County Council for funding of €1.729m, my Department recouped that sum in full to the Council on 15 December 2017 in relation to the flooding in the Inishowen peninsula in August 2017.
The funding of repairs to public parks, including Swan Park, does not fall under the remit of my Department's scheme. However, following the meeting referred to above, I engaged directly with Minister of State McHugh in relation to this matter. It is my understanding that the Minister of State has been in ongoing engagement with Donegal County Council, and that Council officials are currently looking at a number of avenues for potential funding for the Swan Park project. I understand also that Donegal County Council is considering an application to the Rural Development Fund as one option. I will continue to engage with Minister of State McHugh and other stakeholders as necessary in the interests of finding a resolution to this matter.
