Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
456. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide emergency funding for flood relief/protection works at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, County Kerry as a matter of urgency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9725/26]
View answerCoastal protection and localised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address, and local authorities may carry out these works using their own resources. Kerry County Council may apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation works under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This 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.
The criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme are currently under review, and any application under the scheme will be considered against revised criteria. The OPW expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria for the scheme shortly. 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 40 projects.
While the OPW has no current applications for funding for works at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, funding of €100,000 was approved under the scheme for Kerry County Council for embankment strengthening works at Cromane in 2012, with the works being completed in December of that year. The OPW welcomes applications for funding under the scheme and is available to engage with Local Authorities in this regard.
