Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

18. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide funding to tackle costal erosion and flooding in Rossbeigh, Waterville, Kenmare, Tralee, Listowel, Glenbeigh, Dooks, Cromane Lower, Killorglin and Glosha; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39792/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I raise the issue of coastal erosion and flooding, which are huge problems in my neck of the woods. I live by a beach called Rossbeigh in Glenbeigh, County Kerry. It is on Castlemaine Harbour. That area in particular is very problematic with global warming and high tides. When the high tides coincide with storms there are particular issues. Homes are flooded and we require funding as soon as possible.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government has committed to investing a sum of €81 million for the design and implementation of flood relief schemes for County Kerry. Tralee, Kenmare, Abbeydorney and Banna are all in the first tranche of schemes to be progressed, with Dingle, Killarney, Ballylongford, Listowel, Castleisland-Tullig in the second tranche.

Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in quarter 3 2021 to deliver a flood relief scheme for Tralee. Emerging options are scheduled to be identified in quarter 4 2025 and will be made available to the public for consultation. It is expected that this scheme will be submitted for planning in quarter 4 2026.

Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in quarter 2 2022 to deliver a flood relief scheme for Kenmare. Assessing the flood risk in Kenmare is complex and it is expected the design option will be made available to the public for consultation in mid-2026. Works on the Finnihy river were completed in early 2024 to mitigate the flood risk.

While the Listowel scheme is not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, the OPW, through Kerry County Council, is investing €2 million for advance measures. Following a flood event in Listowel in November 2024, Kerry County Council engaged consultants to provide a report on the flood event. The findings were presented to Kerry Municipal District on 30 April 2025 and are now available to the public. Kerry County Council has discussed the findings of this report with the OPW. The council recently requested the consultant to assess the delivery programme for the recommended short-term measures, including rising the embankments at Killacrim. Once complete, this assessment, which may require hydraulic modelling, will inform a meeting with the OPW in the coming weeks to discuss implementation and funding mechanisms for any viable measures. Any requirement for environmental assessments for these works will inform the timeline for their delivery.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State for that response. The towns of Kenmare, Tralee, Listowel, Castleisland and lower Killorglin all need protection works at the earliest possible date. I have been inside homes where there has been 3 ft of saltwater. Rainwater is one problem, but saltwater is a different story completely. I plead with the Minister of State to come down, see for himself and provide the necessary funding. Historically, coastal erosion and flooding were at the bottom of the priority list when it came to funding. It is about time they were addressed.

Other areas in Kerry also need coastal protection works, for example, Waterville and my local beach in Rossbeigh. Cromane is a particular problem. People there are living in fear any time a high tide and a storm coincide. They cannot sleep in their beds. This is happening too often. We are seeing more and more issues all the time. I would be delighted to welcome the Minister of State to Kerry and show him these particular areas. I have no doubt he will deliver for the people.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I said, €81 million in investment has been given to Kerry County Council. The Deputy talked about coastal protection. Since 2009, €4.2 million has been given to the minor flood mitigation and coastal protection scheme. This also includes €2.9 million for coastal erosion work. My Department is very much working with the local authority, particularly in Kerry. We know too well the issues people are facing right around the country, not just down in Kerry. I will visit Kerry in the not-too-distant future to look at the situation and talk to people. When I was last in government I worked very closely with the local authority in Kerry and we delivered a number of projects. I look forward to looking at those and also the areas Deputy Cahill raised today. The Minister outlined major infrastructure problem areas and the backlog in delivering major schemes. I am looking at this in my Department to see if we can streamline how we deliver schemes in terms of the planning process. As I said earlier, 11 years to deliver a scheme is too long. There are constraints that we need to comply with and deliver on. I will work closely with the Deputy.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State for confirming he is coming down to Kerry. I look forward to welcoming him. There are so many areas. It is a huge problem that involves expensive work. Rock armour is very expensive, as are other lines of defence. For many of the people affected, the Minister of State is General Custer making his last stand. We are pleading with him to deliver for our county and people and to give them some sort of comfort. I am getting calls all the time. Any time a storm is forecast it is particularly worrying for young families. Their homes have been ruined before. I have seen this first hand. It is not a pleasant experience. As the Minister of State knows, it creates other problems in the context of insurance, etc. It is hugely important that we get funding. There is other areas too, including Callanafersy, Castlemaine, Keel and Inch. The area around Castlemaine Harbour is a particular issue for us. The pilot study is long completed and it went on long enough. The Covid pandemic threw it back. I am looking forward to the Minister of State coming to Kerry.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I know too well the problems people face. There is nothing as bad as getting up in the morning or going to bed at night when there is rain or wind. I know too well the suffering, worry and stress this causes whole families and the people around them. The Government is very much committed to delivering schemes. As I said, in the last few years we delivered between €68 million and €74 million.

By the end of this year, a total of €93 million will be delivered through schemes. That shows that in the few months of this Government, with the help of the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and the finances we have, we are delivering for the people.

There are backups and delays we have to work through to see, as I said at the outset, whether we can slimline the planning process to try to deliver faster for the people. I know too well what the Deputy explained today. I have seen it first hand in my town of Athlone. Now that the flood defences are almost complete in Athlone, I see the pressure that is off the people and what it does for businesses. It gives people quality of life. I look forward to meeting the Deputy in Kerry.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

By the time the Minister of State has finished that tour of Kerry and gets to Kilkenny, he will be exhausted.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will ask my line manager if he will organise a helicopter because I have had so many requests today that I will be flying.