Brian Walsh (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

285. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding available under the coastal storm flood damage scheme for Galway city and county to assist in carrying out coastal protection and other repair works; the estimated date of commencement of assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2539/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The investigation and addressing of coastal protection problems are matters for Galway City and County Councils in the first instance. It is open to the Councils to apply for funding to deal with coastal protection under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.

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