Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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426. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will fund coastal erosion studies and data collection relevant to Ballinskelligs Bay and the subsequent protection of Waterville, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29425/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Coastal protection and localised flooding issues are matters, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Applications for funding from local authorities for measures or studies costing up to €750,000 can be made under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the total cost is available, subject to meeting specific economic, technical, social, and environmental criteria.

Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of approximately €4.2 million to County Kerry for some 42 projects. This includes approved funding of approximately €2.7 million for coastal erosion studies/projects in County Kerry. In 2023, the OPW approved funding of €35,492 for refurbishment and strengthening of a beach friendly rock revetment at the Promenade, Waterville. Projects subject to approved funding are the responsibility of the relevant local authority to advance.