Denis Naughten
Question:12. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of flood relief works on the River Suck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29519/14]
View answerWednesday, 9 July 2014
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Written answers
The River Suck is the main tributary of the River Shannon. It meets the Shannon a few kilometres north of the village of Shannonbridge. The River Suck forms part of the River Suck Joint Drainage District. As such, responsibility for maintenance of the channel rests with Galway and Roscommon County Councils. The maintenance work is undertaken through the River Suck Joint Drainage District Committee.
The most recent report received by the Office of Public Works, for the year ended 31st December 2011, submitted by the River Suck Joint Drainage District Committee, shows that the Committee expended almost €142,000 in that year. This expenditure comprised routine maintenance works including the cleaning of drains, river bed, cutting back trees or other obstructions, weed control and, where possible, improving water flow. I am advised that the Committee has since expended €136,000 in 2012 and €149,310 in 2013 on further maintenance work.
Significant funding has been provided by the Office of Public Works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme to allow Galway and Roscommon County Councils undertake specific flood alleviation projects within the River Suck catchment. Up to July 2014, nearly €2.1m has been approved to Galway County Council and over €691,343 to Roscommon County Council for this purpose. The majority of these projects have been completed. Details of all the projects for which funding has been approved to local authorities under the Minor Works scheme are available on the OPW website www.opw.ie.
The Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study is considering flooding matters in the River Suck catchment. Updates on this study are available on www.shannoncframstudy.ie.