Office of Public Works Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Ceisteanna (143)

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

143. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding the OPW plans to make available to Sligo County Council in 2020 toward the cost of drainage works on the Owenmore River, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5050/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Kevin Boxer Moran)

The Office of Public Works has no statutory responsibility to provide funding to Sligo County Council towards the cost of drainage works on the Owenmore River. Statutory responsibility for funding towards maintenance by Sligo County Council of this river is allocated by the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government.

In 2018, I made available on an exceptional and once-off basis funding of up to €50,000 to Sligo County Council towards the cost of an approved and planned programme of drainage maintenance on the Owenmore River. I understand that €42,000 of this funding was drawn down by Sligo County Council in 2019.