Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran Officially Opens New Flood Relief Works at Clieveragh, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran T.D. has today officially opened advanced works to manage the flooding in the town of Listowel. Minister Moran was joined by the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael Foley, Minister Norma Foley and local public representatives.

The works, completed by Kerry County Council and the Office of Public Works will protect 57 properties at risk from flooding at Clieveragh in Listowel. The Clieveragh area has experienced significant flooding in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015 and again in 2023.

Minister Moran who was in Listowel today, said: “I know and have witnessed first hand the devastation that flooding causes to people, businesses and communities. Today is a good day for Listowel, as the advanced works at Clieveragh will protect 57 properties and form part of the overall management of flood risk in this town. It demonstrates that as Minister for the Office of Public Works I will help to expedite flood solutions that can be identified and easily delivered.”

The €2m allocation by the Office of Public Works for these advance works at Clieveragh include:

• over ground storm water attenuation pond (purpose built water storage facility) at Curraghatoosane
• new open channel to convey the outflow from the pond to the Clieveragh watercourse to the south
• box culvert under the R552

Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael Foley said: “This is a very positive and very important day for Listowel and particularly for local residents and businesses. Flooding has been a problem and a concern for many years in this area and I welcome this investment and intervention which will greatly assist in alleviating that problem.”

Minister Moran highlighted that the works at Clieveragh are the start of a bigger flood relief scheme for Listowel, and comes from the €1.3bn allocated for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan, (NDP). Since 2018 the Government has trebled the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction to some 100 schemes nationally. This includes schemes for Tralee and Kenmare to protect some 70% of all at risk properties across Kerry.

Minister Moran acknowledged the strong collaboration between Kerry County Council and the OPW, that has allowed these advance works to be completed in just two years. He also highlighted how this collaboration has allowed the works on embankments in the Town Park and Killacrim to be completed this year, following Storm Bert last November.

For more information please contact the pressoffice@opw.ie

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