Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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565. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a recent meeting (details supplied); if he will liaise with his ministerial colleagues to ensure funding is provided to restore a park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27402/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the recent meeting referred to by the Deputy, organised by Minister McHugh and at which my Department was represented, to discuss funding for the restoration of Swan Park in Buncrana which was damaged following an extreme pluvial rainfall event which occurred in the Inishowen Peninsula area of Donegal on 22 August 2017.

Funding for repair of public infrastructure is undertaken by the relevant Department(s) in line with sectorial responsibilities.  Each Government Department liaises directly with local authorities in relation to funding of repairs and restoration being carried out through the local government system.    

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 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. My Department’s scheme does not include funding for capital repair works.  

Following receipt of a request from Donegal County Council for funding of €1.729m, my Department recouped that sum in full to the Council on 15 December 2017 under the arrangements for response and clean-up costs in relation to the flooding in the Inishowen peninsula in August 2017. The funding of repair to public parks, including Swan Park, does not fall under the remit of my Department's scheme and my Department’s involvement in the funding aspects of this matter concluded with this payment to Donegal County Council.