Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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299. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide funding for repair works on an embankment at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2568/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) mobilised staff last week to this area, where it has statutory responsibility for maintenance of embankments. OPW will prioritise the repair of breached embankments at Ardcanaght and Garrane first. Embankments from Keel to Shanakeale will be addressed in due course.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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300. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide funding for repair works on an embankment at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry to help prevent flooding of homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2569/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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301. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide funding for repair works on an embankment at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2570/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.

The investigation and addressing of coastal protection problems at these locations are matters for Kerry County Council in the first instance. It is open to the Council 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.

The OPW allocated funding of €180,000 to Kerry County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme in 2012 for embankment strengthening works at Cromane and Incherea. This funding has now been drawn down by the Council.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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304. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the assistance available from his Department for coastal private landowners and businesses who suffered damage to their properties during the recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2659/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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There is no assistance directly available from the Office of Public Works to private landowners and businesses for damages following the recent coastal storms. Private insurance policies may cover damages in this regard. The Department of Social Protection has in place a Humanitarian Assistance scheme for homeowners and applications can be made through Community Welfare Officers. This scheme does not cover commercial or business losses.

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.