Written answers

Thursday, 16 January 2014

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Foreshore Issues

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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110. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the protective and rehabilitative works he intends to carry out on beaches that were damaged during recent storm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2055/14]

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The investigation and addressing of coastal protection and erosion problems are matters for the local authority concerned in the first instance.

The Office of Public Works wrote on 10 January, 2014 to City and County Managers in coastal counties indicating it will accept applications under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre storm condition. The specific application form for this is entitled Coastal Storm Flooding Damage Questionnaire 2014 and is available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management. The work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authorities.

OPW funding is not available for repairs of other damaged infrastructure or facilities such as roads, promenades, boardwalks, piers, car parks, etc. Local authorities should apply separately to other relevant Government Departments and State Bodies in this regard.

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to provide funding for the re-instatement of blue flag beaches following recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2064/14]

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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My Department is lead Government Department for the emergency response to severe weather events and I presented a preliminary report to Government on 14 January setting out the meteorological background to the series of storms, the preparedness measures adopted by local authorities and relevant Government Departments and Agencies to the weather alerts from Met Éireann, their actual response, and an indication of the costs of the damage.  I am requesting all affected local authorities to provide more detailed reports, including related costings, by 14 February 2014 to enable Government, through the relevant Departments and Agencies, to support the authorities on recovery measures which fall within their areas of responsibility.  The Government will explore all possible sources of funding, including at European Union level, in order to assist recovery efforts. When all the above information has been collated, Government will then be in a position to make a decision on Government assistance for the recovery programme and the specific works to be comprehended.

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