Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016
391. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down the status of the schedule of works for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19543/16]
View answerThe location mentioned by the Deputy is part of the tidal reaches of the River Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme. This scheme was carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 and the OPW continues to have a statutory responsibility for its maintenance.
Each year the OPW carries out work to approximately 2,000 km of channels and some 200 structures around the country as part of its ongoing and rolling arterial drainage maintenance programme. While the average cycle of maintenance is generally in the range of 4 to 7 years, the OPW does routinely inspect all channels and structures for which it has maintenance responsibility. The timing of work on individual projects is determined having regard to the needs of regular maintenance and the prioritisation of urgent jobs.
In the case of the River Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme, maintenance resources are currently engaged on works to damaged defences in the townland of Callinafercy East. An Appropriate assessment for proposed works at Callinafercy West has been completed and submitted to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Subject to the NPWS being satisfied with the Appropriate Assessment, OPW plans to commence works at Callinafercy West on completion of the works at Callinafercy East. It is hoped that the works at Callinafercy West can commence during the month of August.
