Erosion risk over funding deficit

A lack of funding for coastal protection works is threatening homes and leading to worsening erosion along a vulnerable section of Co Kerry. 

Following storms a year ago, the county council made a submission to the Government for €16m for strengthening coastal defences but received €1.1m for work in the mid-Kerry area.

About €800,000 was spent on urgent work to repair extensive damage and enhance defences at the blue flag Rossbeigh beach.

The issue, about coastal concerns, arose when a deputation from Glosha, near the fishing village of Cromane, highlighted the poor condition of embankments during a meeting of the South and West Kerry Municipal Authority in Killorglin.

Officials said the Office of Public Works is the agency responsible for flood risk and management and a meeting is being arranged with OPW Minister Simon Harris who is due to visit the area next month. Spokesman Barry Clarke said no agency was taking responsibility for the embankments. At one time local people did some maintenance work, but were no longer allowed to do so.

“At the moment, the situation is that everyone is passing the buck to everyone else, while the conditions of the embankments is worsening and the cost of the work will be much higher, long-term, as a result,” he said.

The meeting also heard the Land Commission embankments dated to the 1920s and Cllr Michael Cahill said homes were now at a real risk of flooding. He called on the OPW to take responsibility.

Senior executive engineer Padraig Teahan said the authority dealt with a huge coastal district, but did not receive any money for embankments last year. The council would be making further submissions.

Mr Teahan said 14 houses at Cliff Road, Rossbeigh, were at risk of being cut off because of a recent slippage and necessary work there could cost up to €500,000.

Meanwhile, the council is to seek funding for the Cromane embankments.