Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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158. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if this Government will provide funding to tackle costal erosion in Rossbeigh, County Kerry and Waterville, and to tackle tidal flooding in Glenbeigh, Cromane Lower, Killorglin and Glosha, Cromane, Killorglin as well as providing a concrete and permanent solution to the severe flooding issues in Listowel, Kenmare and Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15671/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Coastal Erosion

The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy are being implemented. Amongst the key recommendations of Report is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is responsible for chairing an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.

The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. These assessments will build upon indicative assessment work previously undertaken by the OPW under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study, and comprise a substantial, multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally, and then in detail at higher risk locations as a basis for then determining potential viable works to manage this risk. This work will contribute to the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.

Tralee Flood Relief Scheme

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 in 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 Flood Relief Scheme

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.

Tranche 2 - Listowel Flood Relief Scheme

The proposed flood relief scheme identified for Listowel, County Kerry will be funded under the Government’s flood risk investment programme of almost €1.3 billion under the National Development Plan to 2023. While this proposed scheme is not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, the OPW continues to liaise closely with Kerry County Council to ensure that the programme of flood relief projects for County Kerry are kept under review and that all projects will be commenced as soon as possible.

Advanced works - Clieveragh

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 of Listowel.

The Office of Public Works is carrying out these works by direct labour, with mobilisation and vegetation clearance undertaken in February, 2024. They are currently undertaking Phase 3 of this project to ensure the scheme provides the appropriate standard of protection.

Flood Event – Kilocrim, Listowel

After the flood events of Storm Bert in Listowel in November, 2024, officials from my Department met with Kerry County Council to review the flood event and its impact and to develop a plan to address what measures could be put in place in advance of the larger scheme proposed for Listowel as part of the Food Risk Management Plan for this area.

As a first step it was agreed that Kerry County Council would engage consultants to complete an investigation and prepare a factual report on the flood event. A Draft report has now been issued for review to both Kerry County Council and the OPW. Once that report is finalised my officials will assist Kerry County Council in determining what measures may be possible to implement based on the recommendations of this report.

Feale Catchment Drainage Scheme

The OPW also maintains the Feale Catchment Drainage Scheme, that was executed for the purposes of draining lands and reducing flooding for the benefit of agricultural activities. However, preliminary estimates indicated that the November flood event at Listowel and Killocrim was in excess of the 1 in 100 year return period (or 0.1% AEP) event and this would be far in excess of the defence of an agricultural drainage scheme.