Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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345. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of any damage to infrastructure during the recent severe weather spell that he has been notified of; and the cost to repair any damage. [1837/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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At its meeting on 14 January 2014, the Government considered an Interim Report from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on the impacts of the recent severe weather.

The interim report contained preliminary estimates from local authorities on damage caused by the storms.  In relation to sectors under my responsibility, the Interim Report estimated the damage to roads to be in the region of €20 million.  The report also noted damage to Irish Rail infrastructure and buildings, the environs of some lighthouses areas and to some Irish Coast Guard Coastal Unit properties. In the case of Irish Rail, I have been advised that the preliminary estimated costs of remedial and repair works are in the order of €3.1 million. Estimates for damage costs to lighthouse environs, coastal units and other infrastructure are awaited.

The Government has asked local authorities to prepare more detailed costings and plans for repairing storm damage and will consider the matter again next month when these are to hand.