Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

183. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the stalled construction of a seawall at Bunnafolly, Doohoma, County Mayo. [4110/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the severe storms of December 2013 and January 2014 and based on estimates provided by the local authorities concerned, funding of up to €69.5 million was made available for a programme of repair and remediation works to roads, coastal protection and flood defence and other public infrastructure damaged in the storms. Of the total amount of funding available, up to €19.6 million was disbursed to local authorities via the Office of Public Works (OPW) for the repair of damaged public coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure. The amount made available to Mayo County Council for coastal protection repair works was €4,205,000.

Mayo County Council submitted to the OPW a programme of works based on its allocation of €4,205,000 which included works at Bunnafolly, Doohoma, Co. Mayo. I am advised that the Council has undertaken works at Bunnafolly at a cost of €99,000.

The identification and carrying out of necessary coastal protection works is a matter for each Local Authority and it is open to Mayo County Council to carry out coastal protection and flood mitigation works using its own resources.

Local authorities may also apply to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.

I am advised that no application is on hands from Mayo County Council in connection with the construction of a seawall at this location.