Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
199. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood prevention schemes (details supplied) in County Mayo; the works that have been undertaken by the Office of Public Works on the rivers in question since November 2015; if there have been meetings of all the stakeholders involved on the rivers; the action points of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5620/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra200. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the applications he has received from Mayo County Council under the minor flood mitigation scheme in 2015 and in 2016 to date; the level of funding sought under each application; the status of each application; when he will make a final decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5621/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking the design of a flood relief scheme for Crossmolina on the River Deel. Options have been devised to deal with flooding problems in the town and a public information day will be held on Friday, 8th April to ascertain the public's view on the proposed measures. Subject to agreement on the proposed measures, the scheme will be brought through further investigation, formal public exhibition and onto detailed design and construction.
The River Moy Arterial Drainage Scheme was carried out by the OPW under powers contained in the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. The purpose of Arterial Drainage Schemes was primarily to improve the drainage of agricultural lands to enhance production. This typically involved lowering or widening river beds to facilitate the drainage and discharge of neighbouring lands and drainage channels. While not the primary purpose of the Schemes, they did also provide enhanced conveyance capacity where they passed through towns, villages and dispersed rural communities that in turn has reduced the flood risk to properties in these areas.
Under the Act, the OPW has a statutory duty to maintain completed schemes in proper repair and in an effective condition. In compliance with this duty, the OPW carries out an ongoing programme of maintenance work on the River Moy scheme. The annual maintenance programme typically involves some clearance of vegetation and removal of silt build-up on an average five-yearly cycle. The OPW is not involved in any flood prevention scheme on the River Moy outside of its maintenance programme.
The OPW is currently considering applications received from Mayo County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for Crossmolina, Ballina and Foxford, and will communicate with the Council when decisions are made on these applications. Details of applications under this scheme submitted by Mayo County Council in 2015 and in 2016 to date are set out in the following table:
|
Application |
Amount Sought |
Status of Application |
|
2015 |
||
|
Barnagreggaun, Mossbrook |
€6,400 |
Approved |
|
Dugort, Achill |
€12,000 |
A revised application to be submitted by the Council |
|
2016 |
||
|
Salmon Leap Cottage, Belclare, Westport |
€10,000 |
Approved |
|
Bachelor's Walk, Ballina |
€410,000 |
Currently under consideration |
|
Crossmolina, River Deel |
€49,000 |
Currently under consideration |
|
Green Road, Foxford |
€76,752 |
Currently under consideration |
