66. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding flooding prevention (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40467/26]

The removal of a sewerage pipe is a matter for Uisce Éireann and, hence, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage may wish to reply further on this topic. I will briefly outline some matters relevant to Kenmare and other areas in County Kerry.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) completed the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the country, which studied the flood risk for some two thirds of the population. The 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans were a key output of the CFRAM study, which identified some 150 additional flood relief schemes to protect at-risk communities, including Kenmare and other areas in County Kerry. The OPW is working closely with Kerry County Council to implement a number of initiatives in the county, and the OPW is currently funding three local authority staff in the Council to manage the delivery of flood relief schemes.

Kerry County Council is leading the delivery of the Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme, which will protect some 235 properties against the risk of flooding. The optioneering process is underway, and emerging design options to defend against the risk from flooding will be brought to the public and stakeholders for their views in the coming months. In advance of the Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme, riverbank works were carried out, and this work has proven to be successful in that area.

Localised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and a Local Authority may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. Local Authorities may also apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation and coastal protection works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

On Monday of this week, 25th May 2026, I was pleased to announce that details of the revised criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme are available, and greatly increase the scope of the Scheme to provide local authorities with a greater opportunity to address localised flood and coastal erosion risks within their administrative areas. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2m and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. Further revisions include the relaxing of some economic criteria which lowers the required threshold for viable solutions. The full details of the revised scheme are available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. I also announced the details of the allocation of €3 million in funding to local authorities, including Kerry County Council, to expedite their efforts to remove river conveyance blockages.