Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. I had the privilege of travelling to Limerick during the summer for the signing of the contract relating to Foynes, which is a €2.8 million project. The works have commenced there. The project is a defence against coastal flooding, which is to be welcomed.

In Limerick city, funding of €1.3 million for advance work at Verdant Place, King's Island, which was originally part of an application for minor works, has been approved by the OPW. Planning permission has been received by the local authority and works, which consist of repointing the stone wall and the construction of reinforced concrete walls at the rear of it, are expected to commence in mid-October, with a view to completion in the first quarter of 2017. A further €90,000 in funding has been granted to Limerick local authority for small works on Condell Road, subject to design and implementation being undertaken in such a way as to minimise the risk of these works to be redone when the full scheme is put in place. From that, Senator O'Donnell can see that we are working with the local authority on advance works.

It is important to say that the minor works funding application process is something of which local authorities are making use. I have written to all of the authorities in recent weeks to encourage them to apply for funding. It is not often a Department states that it has the funding and asks local authorities to come and apply for it. It is important to reiterate that there are minor works which can be done.

I think we have spent €37 million so far on minor works throughout the country and - this is in my report - given protection to 5,000 properties to date. The latter is a substantial level of protection to provide. It is not to be underestimated and we should make more use of it. Last Sunday, I met one of the chief executives of a local authority who asked me to keep the money coming and said the local authority could do with it. I asked him in turn to keep the applications coming and said we could give the local authority the money, provided it meets the criteria, which it does in many cases. I acknowledge the work of the local authorities. So far this year, 58 projects have been approved under the minor works scheme. We will continue our efforts in that regard and we must work in partnership with the local authorities. I do not agree with the idea that the OPW will do everything on its own and the local authority will do everything on its own. We must work together and find the solutions. I am glad to say that, from my experience in the months I have been responsible for the Office of Public Works, there is a very good working relationship between it and the local authorities. They need to ensure that this continue and that we work together for the benefit of flood relief and people's peace of mind.