Dan Neville
Ceist:173 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when arrangements regarding repairs of the Shannon river bank at Dysart, Askeaton, County Limerick will be made. [13481/02]
Written Answers. - River Bank Repairs.
My Department does not have responsibility for the cleansing, maintenance, repair or restoration of river banks or embankments. However, arising from the acquisition of certain estates, the former Irish Land Commission retained a portion of the purchase money for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of embankments and sluices on those estates. These retained funds were entrusted to the Public Trustee, who is now an officer of my Department. The Public Trustee has responsibility for the investment of these funds and the income earned may be applied for the specific purposes described in the trust deed for each estate. In the context of an ongoing or perpetual trust, it is established practice that the capital sum should not be used for general repairs except in exceptional circumstances.
In relation to the site in question, a small trust fund was set up for the upkeep of embankments and other works on the E. H. Davies Estate. Local trustees were appointed and they may apply to the Public Trustee to release funds to cover maintenance work. Over the years funds have been released, as appropriate. This fund covers a large area of embankments and my Department is attempting to get local agreement as to the proportion of the fund that should be used in any particular location.