Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2017
181. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if progress will be made on a flood risk in Killarney (details provided); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14407/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined to the Deputy in my previous reply of 2 November 2016 (PQ number 248 of that date refers), the Office of Public Works (OPW) has maintenance responsibility only for those Catchment Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief Schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995.
Neither Lough Leane nor the River Laune form part of an arterial drainage scheme under the auspices of this Office and, as such, the OPW has no responsibility for their maintenance.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Kerry County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.
The Office of Public Works operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, are published on the OPW website at http://www.opw.ie. It is open to Kerry County Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the scheme's eligibility criteria, available on the OPW website.
