Departmental Properties

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2017

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

Questions (155)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

155. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to maintain grounds owned by his Department in Killybegs in order to avoid flooding; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that owned grounds along the Shore Road are overgrown with scrub wood, waste ground shrubbery and foliage which in turn is blocking the water channel which drains from the Bridge Street area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43069/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. 

Flooding recently occurred in the Bridge Street Area of Killybegs town. I would advise the Deputy that the Office of Public Works (OPW) is the lead agency for flood risk management and is coordinating the national Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme.

Killybegs has been identified as an Area of Further Assessment for Flood Risk as part of this programme. I can confirm that the Bridge Street area is identified in the study as an area prone to flooding. My department understands that Donegal County Council and the OPW are investigating this latest flooding event but that vegetation on tidal lands is unlikely to be a significant factor.

The capacity and maintenance of the pipes that drain the river into the sea under the nearby Shore Road is a matter for Donegal County Council. My Department will however keep this matter under review.