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

153. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be made available to address a flooding threat at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16725/15]

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

154. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be made available to address a flooding threat at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16726/15]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.

The Office of Public Works has not to date received an application from Kerry County Council (KCC) for funding for sluices at Incherea.

The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 in relation to repair of public infrastructure damaged in the Winter 2013/2014 storms allocated funding of up to €1,226,920 to KCC for repair of coastal protection and flood defences based on a submission made by the Council. KCC's submission included for strengthening works at Incherea, Glenbeigh and both repair and strengthening works at Cromane Lower. The Council was advised by the OPW that strengthening works were outside of the scope of the Government Decision and that only the repair element of projects, such as that at Cromane Lower, were covered under the allocation. The OPW approved KCC's programme of repair works, which included €30,000 for Cromane Lower. Of the total approved allocation of €1,226,920, KCC has drawn down €1,206,275 to date including the funding approved for Cromane Lower.

In relation to works to strengthen coastal defences, KCC was informed that these would require detailed technical analysis as outlined in the guidance document available on the OPW website and should be pursued as part of a prioritised coastal protection programme for the County.

KCC may undertake flood or coastal defence works at Incherea and Cromane Lower and undertake the studies required for a coastal protection programme in these locations using its own resources for this purpose. KCC may also make an application for funding in this regard to the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The OPW will consider any application for funding from KCC for any measures that such studies may recommend that are economically justifiable and environmentally acceptable, subject to the Office's overall availability of funding for flood risk management.