Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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534. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the areas in County Kerry that are subject to coastal erosion and flooding that will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58350/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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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 90% 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.

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. Some €2.9m of this approved funding relates to coastal erosion works and studies. These projects are listed on the table below.

A Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme application was submitted by Kerry County Council to the OPW in February 2025 for proposed works in Maherabeg for design and construction of coastal protection works, incorporating rock armour revetment. The OPW have reviewed this application and have requested further information from Kerry County Council, which will be reviewed when submitted.

Access to additional details on coastal flooding and erosion can be found at www.floodinfo.ie/map/coastal_map/

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 construction of flood relief schemes for Co. Kerry. The following schemes have coastal elements to them; Tralee, Kenmare, and Banna. These schemes are in the first tranche of schemes to be progressed with Dingle, Killarney, Ballylongford, Castleisland/Tullig and Listowel in the second tranche.

The OPW is funding three local authority staff in Kerry County Council to manage the delivery of these flood relief schemes, a Senior Executive Engineer, Executive Engineer and a Senior Staff member.

Tranche 1 Flood Relief Schemes

Banna

To progress this scheme design Kerry County Council is completing a wider flood risk assessment; including of the channels to the north and general drainage from the Ballyheigue area.

Tralee

Tralee is vulnerable to both fluvial and coastal flooding. As part of Stage 1 Scheme Development and Preliminary Design, the consultants have carried out options assessment of 11 appraisal areas. Following this screening process a series of flood risk management options were developed for each appraisal area with both fluvial and coastal options. A Public Consultation Day will be held in the coming months, the purpose of this event is to bring all options appraised to the public for their feedback. It is programmed to submit the scheme to planning at the end of 2026.

Kenmare

The proposed Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme may include fluvial flood defences such as walls and embankments on the Finnihy and Kealnagower rivers and tidal flood defences comprising of walls, embankments and removable barriers.

The scheme is currently at Stage 1 Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. The consultant has carried out options assessment on a number of appraisal areas and identified 6 fluvial options and 3 coastal options. These options are currently progressing through the Multi Criteria Assessment (MCA) process. It is programmed to submit the scheme to planning early in 2027.

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.

County Kerry currently has two Tranche 2 schemes with coastal elements, at Dingle and Ballylongford.