Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I assure him that the OPW and Kerry County Council are committed to progressing short-term flood relief measures for Listowel and Killocrim. Following a flood event in Listowel in November 2024, Kerry County Council engaged consultants to provide a report on the flood event and its findings were presented to the municipal district on 30 April 2025. They are now available to the public. Kerry County Council has discussed the findings of this report with the OPW.

The consultants, Malachy Walsh and Partners, are currently carrying out an assessment for the progression of the viable short-term flood defence works in Listowel and Killocrim as recommended in the flooding report. The outputs of this assessment, which may require hydraulic modelling, will be discussed with my officials upon completion. It will then be open to Kerry County Council to apply to the OPW for funding for temporary or interim measures, pending the commencement of the Listowel flood relief scheme. My officials will continue to engage with Kerry County Council and the consultants.

Funding for these measures can be considered through the OPW’s minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. This minor works scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.

When I was here two months ago, I said to the Senator that I was working extremely hard to try to deliver on this scheme. I made it clear that it was a number one priority but working together is far better than working apart. I hear comments coming from Kerry. I am in the job a number of months. I have seriously taken this upon myself to deliver. You cannot do something in two months or three months.When designing a scheme like this, it has to be realised that 95% of the works are under the ground. That is the hardest part of delivering on a scheme, no matter where it is. There is one chance to get it right and if the rules and regulations are not heeded, you could end up in a different situation, meaning it could be delayed a little longer. However, I can assure the Senator that while people want to blame the OPW, I am waiting on a report from Kerry County Council to come back to my office. When I have it, it will determine the next phase and when I will be able to give the Senator starting and delivery times. What occurred happened in 2024. I spoke to the Senator in May and I have now moved things to the point where I hope to have a date in the near future for delivery on the scheme.