Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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359. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide emergency funding for coastal protection works at Rossbeigh Beach, Glenbeigh, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48100/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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361. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide emergency funding for coastal protection works at Waterville, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48102/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 361 together.

Local coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by OPW 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 or coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.

Applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, technical social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio.

Following a recent announcement (by Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, TD on 21 August 2025) an increase in funding supports are to be made available to Local Authorities under the Minor Works Scheme, including an increase in the upper Minor Works threshold from €750,000 to €2,000,000, that will facilitate an increase in the scale of works that may be funded and with the aim of improving the range of supports available to local authorities under the scheme. The OPW will be sending out further details of the revisions to the Scheme to Local Authorities over the coming weeks.

Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for some 21 projects in Kerry relating to coastal works and studies amounting to approximately €2,915,538. Funding of €450,000 was approved for the construction of a rock revetment in 2018 at Rossbeigh. This rock armour protects dune habitat, the access road, and the playground. Funding of €35,492 was also approved in 2023 for refurbishment and strengthening of a beach friendly rock revetment at Waterville. It is a matter for Kerry County Council to consider whether it wishes to make further applications under the Scheme in relation to Rossbeigh Beach or Waterville.

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 the 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.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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360. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide emergency funding to strengthen the embankment and protect homes and properties from tidal flooding at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48101/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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362. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide emergency funding to strengthen the embankment and protect properties from tidal flooding at Glosha, Cromane, Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48103/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 362 together.

Coastal protection and localised flooding issues are matters, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address, that they can fund through their own resources.

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 can be made under this scheme and are approved 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 more than 40 projects. Funding of €100,000 was approved for embankment strengthening works at Cromane in 2012.

It is open to the local authority to make an application under the scheme.

There are no current applications for funding under this scheme received from Kerry County Council for the locations concerned. The OPW welcome applications for funding and is available to engage with Local Authorities in this regard.