Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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86. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding work on an embankment in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40666/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) commenced repair works on embankments 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 these 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.

OPW currently has a machine operating on lands adjoining the specific property to which the Deputy refers at Coolinch, Callinafercy, Co Kerry. This machine was mobilised to this site last Wednesday. The Office is currently addressing erosion issues along this section of flood defence embankment. Following completion of these repairs the crew hope to address the specific landowner's concerns within the next week or so.