Works on the River Brosna in Mullingar were carried out, in the early 1950s, under the 1945, Arterial Drainage Act, as part of the Brosna scheme. My office regularly maintains the channel through Mullingar to provide optimum capacity for river flows. In addition, the channel and culverts are routinely inspected and in periods when high rainfall is forecast special attention is paid to the inspection of the bridges/culverts to ensure that no blockages occur.
My office is also involved in a process of consultation with Westmeath County Council to further reduce the incidences of flooding in Mullingar. A survey of the channel, including bridges/culverts, has been carried out, to estimate the degree of immunity provided against flooding, and an analysis using a sophisticated computer system will be carried out in the near future. The results of the analysis will be considered in consultation with the local authority. There is no funding allocated within the Vote of the Office of Public Works which could be made available as compensation to property owners in this instance.
