€1m to be provided for repairs and storm prevention at Plunkett Station – Coffey

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy and Vice Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, Paudie Coffey, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation that in excess of   €1 million is being allocated to address the recent storm damage at Plunkett Station in Waterford. Deputy Coffey added that the funding illustrates the Government’s commitment to helping communities affected by the recent severe weather.

“Last weekend, the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, accompanied me on a visit to the villages of Passage East and Dunmore East and other areas affected when the Clodiagh and Suir rivers bursting their banks. Minister Hogan promised that financial assistance would be forthcoming and he has since delivered on that commitment by announcing €70 million is being made available nationally.

“Minister for Public Transport, Alan Kelly TD, has confirmed to me that more than €1 million is being provided to clear up previous rock-falls and protect against future similar occurrences at Plunkett Station. The station is a vital part of Waterford’s public transport network and I am hopeful once these works are complete, we will not see a similar occurrence where the track was flooded and rocks fell onto the tracks.   It is important that rail links are kept open for the city’s economy and I hope these essential works will now take place in a timely manner.

“The Minister for Social Protection has allocated €25 million in humanitarian funding for replacement of essential household items that have been damaged by the flooding.   Minister for the OPW, Brian Hayes TD, has also confirmed to me that works on the flood relief scheme for Waterford city are nearing completion.

“I want to commend the local authority workers who have been out day and night helping their communities to prevent flood waters reaching their homes.   The weather that we have experienced in recent weeks is unprecedented and has left a trail of destruction right around the country that will take time to clean up. I am pleased that the Government has allocated significant funding which will greatly help with the clean-up process.”