Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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76. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if road defence works will be carried out in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48463/17]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) allocated funding of €100,000 to Kerry County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme in February, 2012 for embankment strengthening works at Cromane Lower. The Council has already drawn down this funding. OPW is not responsible for the upkeep of this embankment. Following the coastal storms, which affected the western seaboard in December 2013 and January 2014, Kerry County Council was allocated €1,243,270 for a programme of repair works, which included funding for a project at Cromane Lower. All funding has been expended.

It is a matter for Kerry County Council in the first instance to investigate and address issues of coastal protection and flooding at the location indicated. If, following assessment, Kerry County Council can identify any economically and environmentally viable measures to address the flooding problem at this location it is open to Kerry County Council to undertake any required remedial works using its own resources. Alternatively, if appropriate, it may apply for further funding to carry out proposed works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding for flood risk management. Application forms and related guidelines are available on the OPW website under Flood Risk Management.