Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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81. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on flood-protection measures being taken in Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4919/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans, identified 9 flood relief schemes for County Kerry, which will be funded under the Government's flood risk investment programme of €1.3 billion under the National Development Plan to 2030.

Through three staff funded by the OPW, Kerry County Council is leading the delivery of four flood relief schemes for Tralee, Kenmare, Banna and Abbeydorney that are in the first tranche of schemes, nationally.

It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes.

While the remaining schemes for Ballylongford, Castleisland and Tullig, Dingle and Killarney are not in the first tranche of 100 projects being progressed, nationally, the OPW continues to liaise closely with Kerry County Council to ensure that the programme of flood relief projects identified for county Kerry is kept under review, and that all projects will be commenced as soon as possible. Kerry County Council can apply to the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for temporary measures, pending the commencement of schemes for these communities. Since 2009, the OPW has approved €4.2m for Kerry County Council under this scheme.

Tralee

RPS Engineering and Environmental consultants were appointed in August 2021 to deliver a flood relief scheme for Tralee. Optioneering is at an advanced stage and it is currently programmed to have all emerging options identified by Q2/Q3 of 2025. These options will identify the type of flood defence measures required for both fluvial and coastal flooding within the scheme area.

It is expected that planning for this scheme will be submitted in Q4 2026

Kenmare

Ayesa (formerly Byrne Looby) Engineering and Environmental consultants were appointed in 2022 to deliver a flood relief scheme for Kenmare. Options development has been progressing by the consultant, however this is taking longer than originally anticipated due to the complexity of the various flood defence measures being considered.

In advance of the main flood relief scheme, river bank erosion prevention works were carried out on site along the banks of the Finnihy River immediately north of Kenmare town in January 2024. These works were required to protect an area of river bank where flood defence walls and embankments are proposed to be built as part of the flood relief scheme.

Currently the completion of Stage 1, identifying the scheme design, is programmed for early 2026 with planning being submitted in Q1 2027.

Clieveragh, Listowel

As advance works ahead of the Listowel scheme, the OPW is proving funding of almost €2 million to Kerry County Council for flood relief works in Listowel. This funding has been used for flood defences to protect some 50 properties at risk from flooding in the Clieveragh area in Listowel.

The Office of Public Works is carrying out these works by direct labour, and commenced mobilisation and vegetation clearance in February, 2024. Other works are due to commence, including an over ground storm water attenuation pond at Curraghatoosane.

Banna and Abbeydorney

The OPW Flood Relief Design team is currently assessing a scheme feasibility for Abbeydorney and Kerry County Council is undertaking a wider flood risk assessment in Banna.