Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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172. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans in place to invest in the erosion defences and flood defences of the Kerry coastline (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54447/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans and funding in place to invest in the erosion defences and flood defences of Listowel, Killarney, Tralee and Kenmare, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54448/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.

Local coastal erosion and flooding 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 the Office of Public Works (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.

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.

I recently announced 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. Details of these revisions to the Scheme are to be made available to Local Authorities over the coming weeks.

Since 2009, OPW has approved some 40 projects and €4.2m to Kerry County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme with some 21 of these approved projects relating to erosion defences and flood defences of the Kerry coastline amounting to approximately €2,9m. These projects are listed on the table below.

Some €951,000 under this scheme has been approved for the specific locations referred to by the Deputy including for coastal erosion works of €450,000 at Rossbeigh, €86,690 at Tralee, €78,815 at Cahersiveen and €35,492 at Waterville. Approval for flood risk mitigation works includes €154,000 at Kenmare, €170,000 at Listowel and €26,000 at Tralee. This is a demand driven scheme.

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.

Flood Relief Schemes in Kerry

The Government has also committed to investing some €81m for the design and implementation of flood relief schemes for Co. Kerry. Tralee, Kenmare, Abbeydorney and Banna are in the first tranche of schemes to be progressed with Dingle, Killarney, Ballylongford, Listowel and Castleisland/Tullig in the second tranche.

Tranche 1 Flood Relief Schemes

Engineering and Environmental consultants were appointed in Q3 2021 to deliver a flood relief scheme for Tralee. A Public Consultation Day will be held in October, 2025 to bring to the public emerging options identified as part of the optioneering process. It is expected that this scheme will be submitted for planning in Q4 2026.

Engineering and Environmental consultants were appointed in Q2 2022 to deliver a flood relief scheme for Kenmare. Assessing the flood risk in Kenmare is complex and it is expected the design option will be made available to the public for consultation in mid 2026. Works on the Finnihy River were completed in early 2024, to mitigate flood risk.

The proposed Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme is currently at optioneering assessment stage. The design standard of protection for the scheme will be 1% AEP fluvial event (1 in 100 year) and 0.5% AEP tidal event (1 in 200 year).

Kerry County Council are carrying out a wider flood risk assessment for Banna and a scheme feasibility assessment for Abbeydorney is being conducted to progress a viable scheme.

Tranche 2 Flood Relief Schemes

Since 2018, the OPW has trebled the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning and construction to some 100 projects. The progression of Tranche 2 schemes is constrained by the availability of specialised engineering skills for flood risk management. The OPW is piloting a new delivery model in Counties Donegal and Kilkenny to inform delivery of future Tranche 2 schemes nationally.

Listowel

While the proposed scheme in Listowel is not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, the OPW, through Kerry County Council, is investing €2 million for advance measures in the Clieveragh area of Listowel to protect some 50 properties. While the scheme is operationally complete, the final completion is expected in Q4 of 2025.

Following a flood event in Listowel in November 2024, Kerry County Council engaged consultants to provide a report on the flood event. The findings were presented to Kerry Municipal District on 30th April, 2025 and are now available to the public. Kerry County Council discussed the findings of this report with the OPW and interim measures were identified.

I recently visited Listowel and was delighted to be in a position to announce some €0.5m funding by the OPW for flood mitigation measures in Listowel and Killocrim. Works commenced in the Killocrim area in September and progress is being made on-site presently. Based on the current programme of works, it is anticipated that all works will be completed by end November/December 2025, subject to suitable weather and site conditions. Additionally works commenced in Listowel Town Park in September 2025 and good progress is being made on-site presently. Based on the current programme of works, it is anticipated that all proposed works at Town Park will be completed by end November 2025, subject to suitable weather and site conditions.

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 1.0 % AEP) event and this would be far in excess of the defence of an agricultural drainage scheme.