Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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219. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of his meetings with Kerry County Council on the matter of flood defence work at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry, given that the public infrastructure there is at the mercy of the sea and repairs will end up costing multiples of the protection works required; if he will put an action plan for the area in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42541/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The management of problems of coastal protection in the locations mentioned is a matter for Kerry County Council (KCC) in the first instance. KCC must thoroughly assess the problem and, if it is considered that specific measures and works are required, it is open to them to apply for funding to deal with coastal protection under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.

Following the coastal storms which affected the western seaboard in December 2013 and January 2014, KCC requested funding of €3,000 from the OPW for repair works at Fahamore, which has since been provided. The Council also requested funding for the cost of strengthening works at Kilshannig following that event, but, unfortunately this did not fall within the criteria for funding which had been approved by a Government decision in February 2014.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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221. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to a Topical Debate of 3 December 2014 and to previous parliamentary questions relating to a flood relief project (details supplied) in County Clare, when the project will move to tender; the reason for the delay in commencing work; when it is envisaged that work will commence; the construction time-scale envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42565/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Clare County Council (CCC) as the contracting authority under its powers, with funding and advice as appropriate from the Office of Public Works (OPW).

CCC and the OPW are continuing discussions regarding technical aspects of the proposed works. When all outstanding technical matters are resolved CCC will proceed with issuing tender documents to a number of pre-qualified contractors. Pending this, it is not possible to give an accurate timeframe for commencement of or construction of works but it is anticipated that construction can commence in 2016 and taking about 18 months to complete.

The OPW remains committed to the progression of the works, and provision has been included in its multi-annual capital funding programme to this end.