The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995. Local authorities have responsibility for the maintenance of Drainage Districts designated under the same Arterial Drainage Acts.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Local Authorities may carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources or with financial assistance from the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. This scheme provides 90% funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies, costing less than €0.75 million each, to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.
In line with Government policy, the OPW has just completed the largest ever study of flood risk undertaken by the State. The Flood Risk Management Plans are the output from the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme. I recently launched these Plans and €1 billion investment in flood relief measures over the next 10 years.
Details of the works proposed for Donegal are available on the OPW website, www.floodinfo.ie. On 7 June, I met Donegal County Council and agreed mechanisms for the progression of flood relief schemes as a priority for Lifford, Burnfoot, Castlefin, Carrowkeel, Downings and Glenties.
