Minister Hogan Announces additional €2m for Cobh Landslide Project

Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government today (17 December, 2013) announced funding of an additional €2m in 2013 for the completion of the Cobh Landslide Programme. This is in addition to the €1.5m in funding announced by the Minister in May of this year.

Cobh has a history of landslides which pose an on-going threat to public safety and property.   The Government, through the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has provided considerable financial assistance over recent years for remedial works undertaken by Cobh Town Council and Cork County Council to strengthen areas susceptible to landslides.

The funding announced today will allow for the completion of a programme of works based on a detailed engineer’s report which identified some 37 slopes and walls that are most at risk. Substantial works have already been completed and the allocation of this funding will allow works to be completed.

Announcing the funding Minister Hogan said:

“I am pleased to announce today this very substantial funding for the Cobh Landslide programme.  Cobh due to its location and topography has a long history of landslides which threaten the safety of the people of Cobh. The progress on the ground in Cobh to date is excellent and one can see the impact the funding in the past 2 years has had with many of the most at risk walls and slopes stabilised.  Since 2011 my department has provided funding of in excess of €12m for these works. The completion of this programme of works will go further to keep the people of Cobh safe. To that end, I am happy to have been able to provide funding of €3.5million in total this year in order to complete the urgent works programme”.