Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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455. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if additional funding will be provided to Cavan and Monaghan County Councils for the additional costs incurred in the provision of services due to recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14782/18]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Since 2009, my Department has made financial support available to assist local authorities in meeting the costs of clean-up and necessary immediate works associated with the response to significant severe weather emergency events. This is in recognition of the exceptional nature of activities carried out by local authorities in responding to these types of emergencies and the fact that the costs of these un-programmed activities cannot be met from within existing resources.

In relation to the recent severe cold weather and snow that caused widespread disruption in many parts of the country, my Department is writing to local authorities, including Cavan and Monaghan County Councils, inviting them to submit claims for recoupment of the exceptional costs involved in the response and clean-up.

Funding for repair of public infrastructure is undertaken by the relevant Departments in line with their sectorial responsibility. It is a matter for each Government Department to liaise directly with local authorities in relation to funding of repairs and restoration being carried out through the local government system.