Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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63. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flooding and its effect on residents (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2604/16]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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67. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will urgently examine a submission by residents (details supplied) in County Kerry, and provide the necessary funding to construct flood defence and drainage systems to protect their homes, properties and livelihood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2643/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 67 together.

The Banna Drainage District drains lands in Carrahane Lower and Banna-Mountain townlands. Drainage Districts are areas where drainage schemes to improve land for agricultural purposes were constructed under the Arterial Drainage Acts from 1842 up to 1943. The statutory duty of maintenance for this schemes rests with the Local Authority.

Part of the townland of Banna-Mountain is currently subject to a detailed assessment being carried out by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works, under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study, in partnership with Kerry County Council. Draft Flood Mapping, produced under the Study, was the subject of a Public Consultation Day in Banna Beach Resort on 24 March 2015. The draft Flood Mapping is now being finalised following completion of a national statutory public consultation on 23 December 2015. Work on the development of preliminary options to address the potentially significant flood risks identified in the Study area is underway. In that regard, a Public Consultation Day was held in Banna Beach Resort on 1 October 2015. Following finalisation of the mapping and the identification of feasible flood risk management options, the outputs from this important Study will be published as part of an integrated Flood Risk Management Plan. Further information is available on the Study website .

Investigation of flooding, in the first instance, is a matter for each local authority to investigate and address. Kerry County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The Council may also apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor works to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects that are estimated to cost no more than €500,000. Details of the Schemes eligibility criteria are published on the OPW website www.opw.ie.