Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the anticipated cost to ensure the repair and safeguarding of an embankment at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; the timeframe that exists for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40610/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As outlined to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 18 September 2014, the Office of Public Works (OPW) commenced repair works on embankments at the location referred to at Callinafercy West, Milltown, Co. Kerry earlier this year, following the tidal storm surge of 3 January. These flood defences are within the Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme, which is under the care of the OPW.

The Office hopes to have four excavators carry out works on OPW flood defence embankments at Callinafercy West within the next three weeks. Two of the excavators are fitted with mechanical mulchers, which are deployed to clear excess vegetation from the cross section of the flood defence. The other two machines will be undertaking embankment strengthening works on the aforementioned embankments.

An engineer from the OPW met one of the landowners concerned last Thursday at the Milltown Public Information Day for the South Western Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) programme and updated him on progress being made in the region, assuring him that the OPW crew will be arriving to his property within the next few weeks. The landowner expressed his gratitude for the OPW's endeavours throughout the year and commended the emergency response last January in securing his property.

As there is no requirement to purchase materials the cost of the works will consist of the cost of the machine and two operatives for the duration of the works and this is factored into the OPW's yearly expenditure on arterial drainage maintenance.