Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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497. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects work to be completed at Bertra Beach, Westport, County Mayo which suffered significant storm damage earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29135/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Following consideration of a report which I submitted on the severe weather that affected Ireland in the period from mid-December 2013 to 6 January 2014, the Government decided on 11 February 2014 that a sum of up to €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works. €62 million of this will be made available to local authorities in the areas worst affected by severe weather to help affected communities by restoring roads, coastal protection and other infrastructure and amenities/ facilities/ infrastructure, including piers and harbours. The Government decision was based on estimates provided by local authorities, including Mayo County Council, who have been notified of the funding made available to them.

Depending on the nature of the required works, the additional funding is being made available to local authorities via the Votes of the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Agriculture, Food and Marine; and the Environment, Community and Local Government, as well as the Office of Public Works.

The implementation of the relevant programme of works for the projects identified is a matter for local authorities, in this case Mayo County Council. Therefore, any matters relating to the implementation and completion of these works is a matter for the Council.