Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

292. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an application for funding has been received from Limerick City and County Council in respect of flood alleviation measures in Askeaton and Ballysteen, County Limerick; if the council has estimated a total cost for the works involved; if an assessment on site has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4586/15]

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

Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) submitted applications for funding for projects at Askeaton and Ballysteen under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

The application for Askeaton sought funding to enable LCCC to engage consultants to survey the existing flood defences and to prepare a detailed design of proposed improvements to include costings and a Cost Benefit Analysis. LCCC indicated that, based on initial assessment, the overall cost of the project could be in excess of €250,000. The OPW recently requested additional information from the Council in relation to this application. When this information is received the application will be fully assessed under the eligibility criteria of the Scheme. I would point out also that Askeaton is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study that is being carried out by the OPW to identify specific flood mitigation measures for the area. The OPW's assessment of the application for funding under the Minor Works scheme will also have regard to that fact.

In relation to Ballysteen, LCCC sought funding for works estimated to cost €20,000. This application does not meet the minimum benefit to cost ratio of 1.5:1 required under the criteria of the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme and consequently has been refused.