Written Answers Nos. 313-337
314. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full year cost of doubling the number of dogs in the Revenue Commissioners dog unit; and his plans to expand this service in the context of Brexit. [34840/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that it currently operates 18 Detector Dog Teams, which includes one team working on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Revenue has 4 dog teams currently in training, with training for a further 4 teams planned for early in 2021. This will bring Revenue’s complement of dog teams to 26.
I am advised by Revenue that the initial cost of each additional detection dog team is approximately €100,000. This includes the cost of a trained detection dog, salary of the handler, 8 weeks training for the handler with the dog, a fully fitted out dog transport van, a kennel and associated security at the handler’s home. The ongoing annual cost would be in the region of €40,000 per dog team which includes salary, allowances, uniform, food, vet bills and other related costs .
I am advised by Revenue that while Brexit has an impact in terms of Customs formalities such as declarations, the overall level of traffic and the risk profile of that traffic will not change materially and that the current planned number of dog teams is sufficient to manage the risk.
However, Revenue keeps its detection dog requirements under ongoing review having regard to risk assessment and operational needs. The number of detection dog teams is adjusted, as necessary, in the light of that ongoing review.
319. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance his views on commercial banks and mortgage lenders declining to proceed to draw down on mortgages in which approval has been given previously due to applicants being on the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35024/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the CEOs of the banks on a number of occasions since the pandemic arose to discuss the measures banks and other regulated lenders can put in place to assist their borrowers who are economically impacted by COVID-19 and also the need to continue to support overall credit and lending in the economy, including new residential mortgage lending. In regard to the specific issue of new mortgage lending, the three main retail banks assured the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar T.D., Minister McGrath and myself at meetings last July that they were considering mortgage applications and mortgage drawdowns in relation to their customers who were on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) on a case by case basis and that they are taking a fair and balanced approach.
The purpose of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which as the Deputy will know replaced the TWSS, is to support employers by helping them to continue trade as they deal with risk arising from COVID-19, and this puts employers in a position to retain key staff and ensure the viability of businesses and firms.
In respect of the approach of regulated mortgage lenders on new mortgage lending, the Central Bank has advised that it also expects all regulated firms to take a consumer-focused approach and to act in their customers’ best interests at all times, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. As indicated, lenders continue to process mortgage applications and have supports in place to assist customers impacted by COVID-19. Therefore, if mortgage applicants have any queries or concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on their mortgage application, they should in the first instance contact their lender directly on the matter.
However, within the parameters of the regulatory framework, as set out below, the decision to grant or refuse an individual application for mortgage credit is a commercial decision to be made by the regulated entity. Also a formal loan offer may contain a condition that would allow the lender to withdraw or vary the offer if in the lender’s opinion there is any material change in circumstances prior to drawdown. In such cases, the decision to withdraw or vary the offer is also a commercial and contractual decision for the lender.
The European Union (Consumer Mortgage Credit Agreements) Regulations 2016 (CMCAR) provide that, before concluding a mortgage credit agreement, a lender must make a thorough assessment of the consumer’s creditworthiness with a view to verifying the prospect of the consumer being able to meet his or her obligations under the credit agreement. The CMCAR further provide that a lender should only make credit available to a consumer where the result of the creditworthiness assessment indicates that the consumer’s obligations resulting from the credit agreement are likely to be met in the manner required under that agreement. The assessment of creditworthiness must be carried out on the basis of information on the consumer’s income and expenses and other financial and economic circumstances which is necessary, sufficient and proportionate.
In addition, the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code 2012 imposes ‘Knowing the Consumer and Suitability’ requirements on lenders. Under these requirements, lenders are required to assess affordability of credit and the suitability of a product or service based on the individual circumstances of each borrower. The Code specifies that the affordability assessment must include consideration of the information gathered on the borrower’s personal circumstances and financial situation.
Where a lender refuses a mortgage application, the CMCAR requires that the lender must inform the consumer without delay of the refusal. In addition, the Code requires that the lender must clearly outline to the consumer the reasons why the credit was not approved, and provide these reasons on paper if requested.
If a mortgage applicant is not satisfied with how a regulated firm is dealing with them, or they believe that the regulated firm is not following the requirements of the Central Bank’s codes and regulations or other financial services law, they should make a complaint directly to the regulated firm. If the mortgage applicant is still not satisfied with the response from the regulated firm, he or she can refer the complaint to the statutory Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.
320. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if banks will be requested to reduce card charges for businesses in view of the fact the percentage of card transactions has increased dramatically since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35031/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll credit institutions in Ireland are independent commercial entities and the imposition of bank fees and charges are decisions to be made by the boards and management of individual banks which need to be run on an independent and commercial basis. You will be aware that, as Minister for Finance, I have no statutory role in relation to the charges applied by credit institutions. Under Section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 (the Act), as amended, the responsibility for the regulation of bank fees lies with the Central Bank of Ireland.
I am advised by the Central Bank of Ireland that under Section 149 of the Act, a credit institution must notify the Central Bank if they wish to:
- Introduce any new customer charge for providing certain services; or
- Increase any existing customer charge for providing certain services.
Each notification received by the Central Bank is assessed and robustly challenged in accordance with the specific criteria set out in Section 149 of the Act. Having considered the proposed charge(s) under the assessment criteria as set out under the legislation, the charges are either rejected, approved at lower levels than requested by the credit institution, or approved in full. Credit institutions are free to impose any pricing differentials for the service up to the permitted maximum and are free to waive charges at their discretion for commercial or competitive reasons.
The Central Bank has clearly expressed its expectations that all regulated firms take a consumer-focused approach and act in their customers’ best interests at all times. The Central Bank encourages regulated firms to take all possible measures to assist their customers during this difficult time and to help them to the greatest extent possible while they work through this public health emergency.
Where a regulated entity intends to introduce new charges or increase any existing charges, under provision 6.18 of the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code, it must give notice to affected consumers of the introduction of any new charges or of increases in charges, specifying the old and new charge, at least 30 days prior to the charge taking effect.
I would encourage all bank customers, particularly those adversely affected by changes in bank charges, to shop around and compare the fees and benefits of the different bank accounts available. One of my main concerns at the moment, is to ensure that SMEs have access to sufficient liquidity, and that access to credit for SMEs is maintained. The Government has announced a range of measures to assist companies deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 restrictions, and to ensure that they have access to sufficient liquidity. These include tax measures, as well as loan schemes, to assist SMEs. In addition, grant schemes are available through Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.
322. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the reason the deadline for AVCs to company pension plans has been extended until 10 December 2020 and which can be backdated against the 2019 tax year; his views on whether a similar concession should be extended to all taxpayers in view of the fact all taxpayers have been similarly inconvenienced by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35183/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Revenue the filing deadline for the 2019 income tax return has been extended from 12 November to 10 December 2020 for self-assessed taxpayers who file and pay their tax returns online. This extension was one of many measures, implemented by Revenue as a response to the Covid-19 emergency, in order to aid and facilitate taxpayers in dealing with their tax obligations in 2020.
The extended deadline has also always been applied for the making of additional voluntary contributions (AVCs), which can be backdated against the previous tax year. That deadline is therefore also extended to 10 December this year.
Any taxpayer can avail of the extension to make AVCs to their pension, provided they both pay and files their tax returns online. This also applies to a PAYE worker who files a return via their Revenue account.
Those who do not pay and file using Revenue's Online Service (ROS) must have paid and filed by 31 October 2020.
323. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of a meeting with a bank (details supplied) regarding job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35219/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Wednesday 21 October, I met with representatives of Ulster Bank. I outlined that I expected that staff, customers and other stakeholders would be informed promptly about any decisions being made. In particular, I asked that staff representatives be consulted and kept informed of developments. I also emphasised the importance of Ulster Bank to the Irish financial services market, to the wider economy and to the communities it serves.
Ulster Bank confirmed that the strategic review is ongoing and that no decision has yet been taken. Ulster Bank also confirmed that there is no set timetable for this review and that it is fully aware of the strategically important role that Ulster Bank plays in the provision of financial services to the Irish market.
While I will have further engagement with the bank as the review process continues, I would like to emphasise that I have no role in the review or any commercial decisions arising from it. The commercial decisions of Ulster Bank are a matter for the Board and Management of the Bank and its parent company, NatWest.
325. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if he will request that the financial institutions give mortgage approval to applicants who are on the employment wage subsidy scheme and that they allow these applicants draw down the approved funds given that the scheme has now been extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35255/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the CEOs of the banks on a number of occasions since the pandemic arose to discuss the measures banks and other regulated lenders can put in place to assist their borrowers who are economically impacted by COVID-19 and also the need to continue to support overall credit and lending in the economy, including new residential mortgage lending. In regard to the specific issue of new mortgage lending, the three main retail banks assured the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar T.D., Minister McGrath and myself at meetings last July that they were considering mortgage applications and mortgage drawdowns in relation to their customers who were on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) on a case by case basis and that they are taking a fair and balanced approach.
The purpose of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which as the Deputy will know replaced the TWSS, is to support employers by helping them to continue trade as they deal with risk arising from COVID-19, and this puts employers in a position to retain key staff and ensure the viability of businesses and firms.
In respect of the approach of regulated mortgage lenders on new mortgage lending, the Central Bank has advised that it also expects all regulated firms to take a consumer-focused approach and to act in their customers’ best interests at all times, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. As indicated, lenders continue to process mortgage applications and have supports in place to assist customers impacted by COVID-19. Therefore, if mortgage applicants have any queries or concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on their mortgage application, they should in the first instance contact their lender directly on the matter.
However, within the parameters of the regulatory framework, as set out below, the decision to grant or refuse an individual application for mortgage credit is a commercial decision to be made by the regulated entity. Also a formal loan offer may contain a condition that would allow the lender to withdraw or vary the offer if in the lender’s opinion there is any material change in circumstances prior to drawdown. In such cases, the decision to withdraw or vary the offer is also a commercial and contractual decision for the lender.
The European Union (Consumer Mortgage Credit Agreements) Regulations 2016 (CMCAR) provide that, before concluding a mortgage credit agreement, a lender must make a thorough assessment of the consumer’s creditworthiness with a view to verifying the prospect of the consumer being able to meet his or her obligations under the credit agreement. The CMCAR further provide that a lender should only make credit available to a consumer where the result of the creditworthiness assessment indicates that the consumer’s obligations resulting from the credit agreement are likely to be met in the manner required under that agreement. The assessment of creditworthiness must be carried out on the basis of information on the consumer’s income and expenses and other financial and economic circumstances which is necessary, sufficient and proportionate.
In addition, the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code 2012 imposes ‘Knowing the Consumer and Suitability’ requirements on lenders. Under these requirements, lenders are required to assess affordability of credit and the suitability of a product or service based on the individual circumstances of each borrower. The Code specifies that the affordability assessment must include consideration of the information gathered on the borrower’s personal circumstances and financial situation.
Where a lender refuses a mortgage application, the CMCAR requires that the lender must inform the consumer without delay of the refusal. In addition, the Code requires that the lender must clearly outline to the consumer the reasons why the credit was not approved, and provide these reasons on paper if requested.
If a mortgage applicant is not satisfied with how a regulated firm is dealing with them, or they believe that the regulated firm is not following the requirements of the Central Bank’s codes and regulations or other financial services law, they should make a complaint directly to the regulated firm. If the mortgage applicant is still not satisfied with the response from the regulated firm, he or she can refer the complaint to the statutory Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.
327. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to implement reforms in view of the increasing cost of car insurance premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35281/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that insurance reform is a key policy priority for this Government. There are a number of areas that require reform and this is why making progress on these will require a ‘whole-of-Government’ approach. This is recognised in the ‘Programme for Government – Our Shared Future’ document, which lays out commitments that are aimed at addressing consumer and business concerns on the cost of insurance. These include increasing transparency; reviewing duty of care legislation; looking at how to further enhance the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board; minimising the scope for questionable claims; and increasing market competition. Implementation of this agenda has commenced and will be a key issue for Minister Donohoe and myself, as well other members of Cabinet, especially those that will be working on this issue through the recently established Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment’s Sub-Group on Insurance Reform.
In my view, two key reforms are required to address the affordability and accessibility of insurance. The first of these is to bring the levels of personal injury damages awarded in this country more in line with other jurisdictions. In this regard the establishment of the Judicial Council last December is very important. It is due to adopt new personal injuries guidelines to replace the Book of Quantum by 31 July 2021. It is also desirable that these guidelines could play a role in the lowering and consistent application of court award levels. Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurance providers in this country, has indicated that if award levels come down so will premiums charged by its members. I believe that this is a very important statement and is a commitment this Government intends holding the insurance industry to.
The second reform is to encourage the greater acceptance by claimants of awards made by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). Last week’s National Claims Information Database (NCID) report confirmed that the PIAB settlement amounts are almost identical to those settled through litigation. A key difference however is the PIAB channel facilitates more time-efficient claim settlement with considerably lower legal costs. This was always the aim of the PIAB, and its establishment in 2003 led to much lower insurance costs for motorists. I believe that there is a definite interest in getting more claimants to settle at the PIAB stage – both for the claimants themselves, but also consumers generally as increased costs for insurance companies are reflected in insurance premiums. As noted, this is an issue which the Insurance Reform Sub-Group is prioritising and it will consider proposals on enhancing the role of the PIAB.
With regard to the Deputy’s statement that ‘the cost of car insurance premiums is increasing’, I would draw his attention to data from last week’s second NCID Private Motor Insurance Report from the Central Bank. This shows that, after peaking in Q2 2018, the earned premium for private motor insurance decreased by 9 per cent up to the end of 2019. I would reasonably expect that the next year’s report will show further reductions in the average earned premiums for private motor insurance into 2020. Separately, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in its recent September Consumer Price Index (CPI) private motor insurance component shows that private motor insurance premiums have reduced by about 30 per cent from their July 2016 peak. While for methodological reasons, these datasets are not directly comparable, both have indicated the same downward trend for some time.
Finally, while I accept that motor insurance may not be decreasing for every individual, I believe it is important to acknowledge that the reforms already introduced by the Cost of Insurance Working Group have had a considerable impact in stabilising the cost of motor insurance and indeed many people should be seeing decreases in the cost of their motor insurance premiums. The Government intends to build on this success and also focus efforts on increasing both the affordability and availability of insurance for businesses, particularly affecting those SMEs in high-footfall sectors such as hospitality and tourism.
330. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if a company can send a worker who is in receipt of the wage subsidy scheme or the employment support scheme to another EU country to work during the period they are on the scheme even in cases in which the other EU country was not their original or usual workplace in the period prior to been placed on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35433/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), was legislated for under the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020. The EWSS is an economy-wide enterprise support that focuses primarily on business eligibility. The scheme provides a subsidy to qualifying employers based on the number of qualifying employees on the employer’s payroll and the level of gross pay paid to such employees. The scheme is not an income support for employees, but is a stand-alone measure to preserve the link between employee and employer and support firm viability through an unprecedented enterprise environment and it is based on clear, objective criteria that may be determined by the Revenue Commissioners.
The scheme has no role in relation to the employer/employee relationship in so far as the terms, conditions and entitlements of the employment are concerned. Such matters would be expressly outside of the remit of the Revenue Commissioners.
In terms of employer eligibility, the EWSS legislation requires that immediately at the end of each month, from August 2020 onwards, each employer availing of the EWSS must carry out a self-review of its business circumstances. Following such review, if it is manifest to the employer that it no longer will meet the eligibility test for qualification for the scheme, namely, at least a 30 per cent reduction in business turnover or customer orders in the period from 1 July to 31 December 2020 by reference to the corresponding 2019 period, then the employer must immediately cease claiming wage subsidy payments. Additionally, and unlike the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), the employer must have a tax clearance certificate to be eligible to join the EWSS and must continue to meet the requirements for tax clearance throughout the scheme.
The administration of the EWSS has been placed under the care and management of Revenue, as was done with its predecessor, the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS). While Revenue’s focus on the EWSS in its early stages is concentrated on getting the scheme up and running and ensuring that all employers who are eligible for subsidy payments receive the payments in a timely manner, I have no doubt but that Revenue will, in due course, undertake an appropriate employer compliance campaign relating to employer eligibility under the EWSS.
331. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies on the list of companies published in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; the number of employees who while in receipt of the subsidy had their incomes topped up by the company concerned; and the amounts of these top-ups as a percentage of the employees normal weekly income. [35434/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the reason numerous nursing homes have availed of the wage subsidy scheme for employees; the number of employees in the sector who were placed on the scheme; if these employees worked throughout the period in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35436/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 333 together.
The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) was administered by Revenue, on behalf of the Government, from 26 March 2020 to 31 August 2020. Over 66,500 employers received subsidy payments totalling €2.9 billion in respect of approximately 664,000 employees through the scheme.
Revenue has prepared a detailed statistical report on the TWSS, which is published at https://revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/research/statistical-overview-of-covid-19-twss.pdf. This includes, in Table 9, the available information on additional (top up) payments made to employees by their employers.
In accordance with legislative requirements set out in section 28(8) of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020, Revenue has published the names and addresses of employers who received TWSS payments. The list, which includes a number of nursing homes, is available at https://revenue.ie/en/employing-people/twss/list-of-employers.aspx for the Deputy’s information.
Approximately 60 employers that classified as nursing homes employed 3,100 staff that received TWSS payments over the course of the scheme. In keeping with Revenue’s confidentiality obligations under Section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, it is not possible to comment on the specific cases. However, Revenue has confirmed to me that there was no restriction on nursing homes availing of the TWSS, assuming they met the criteria of the scheme in the same manner as any other employer from any sector.
332. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to seek the reimbursement of the amounts of wage subsidies given to companies in cases in which these companies return to profit by the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35435/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) expired on 31 August 2020 and was replaced by the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) from 1 September.
The objective of both schemes is to support firm viability and preserve the relationship between the employer and employee insofar as possible. This has been achieved by subsidising a portion of the employer wage bill in circumstances where the employer’s business has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions.
Employer eligibility has been determined by reference to change in turnover, a deliberate design feature that has allowed the schemes to be open to all sectors and applied economy wide, while at the same time remain targeted at employers who are considered to be most in need of support.
The primary qualifying criteria for the EWSS is the “turnover test” and has been specifically designed to target the subsidy at otherwise viable employers whose businesses continue to be adversely impacted by COVID-19 by requiring a comparison of the firm’s pre-pandemic operations with their current operations. The legislation provides that the employer must be able to demonstrate that they are operating at no more than 70% in either the turnover of the employer’s business or the customer orders received by the employer by reference to the period from July to December 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. The employer must have a tax clearance certificate to be eligible to join the EWSS and must continue to meet the requirements for tax clearance throughout the scheme.
To address concerns around the targeting of the measure, the legislation already provides that certain elements, such as the turnover test threshold, may be revised in the event that the on-going monitoring of the scheme and the economic recovery presents the opportunity to make changes that minimise deadweight while also fulfilling the objective of supporting employment as well as enabling employers scale back up their business.
There are no plans to introduce a provision to claw back or to seek the reimbursement of the amounts of wage subsidies paid to those eligible companies in the event that such firms are in a profit making position by the end of 2020.
335. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of EU funding made available to the Northern and Western Assembly in each of the years 2013 to 2020 under the European Regional Development Funds; the purposes for which this funding was provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35145/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) is the designated Managing Authority for the Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020 in the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Managing Authorities are responsible for managing expenditure and claims to the EU in relation to the ERDF.
To support Managing Authorities in this work, Technical Assistance is made available, and for the NWRA is set out below for the years 2013-2020. The funding is provided to support staffing requirements, to support related travel to and participation in international meetings and professional training, and communications and public awareness work. In addition to a mid-term evaluation of the work of the programme. It should be noted that for 2020 there will be additional supports that the NWRA have not yet claimed.
|
NWRA |
Salaries |
Travel and Sub |
Other |
Total NWRA |
|
2013 |
€189,826 |
€35,984 |
€266,675 |
€492,485 |
|
2014 |
€231,466 |
€30,745 |
€109,853 |
€372,065 |
|
2015 |
€289,205 |
€23,995 |
€46,093 |
€359,293 |
|
2016 |
€144,152 |
€32,745 |
€127,903 |
€304,800 |
|
2017 |
€207,591 |
€34,603 |
€49,493 |
€291,687 |
|
2018 |
€264,186 |
€51,699 |
€41,326 |
€357,211 |
|
2019 |
€257,761 |
€34,763 |
€97,031 |
€389,555 |
|
2020 |
€121,268 |
€24,059 |
€7,812 |
€153,139 |
|
Total |
€1,705,455 |
€268,593 |
€746,186 |
€2,720,234 |
Funding under the heading of “Other” would in the main be funding towards Communications, and also any economic evaluation with regard to the outcomes of the programme.
336. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the planned feasibility study on the Plassey pinch point on the Shannon River has been completed; if so, when the study will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35340/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works has met with the Shannon Flood risk management coordination group in the past three months; and if not, when the meeting will take place. [35341/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together.
The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government to support existing plans in place and planned to address flooding and to enhance the ongoing co-operation of all State agencies involved with the River Shannon.
The Group is chaired by the Office of Public Works and meets twice each year. In 2020, the Group met on 30th April and I attended its recent meeting which was held on 22nd October.
The Group has taken a number of significant decisions since its establishment, including
- Implementing targeted maintenance at five locations on the River Shannon,
- Completing a study to examine the removal of constrictions resulting in lower summer water levels through the Shannon Callows, to help address the summer flooding in this area while maintaining the appropriate navigation requirements,
- Trialling the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen to help alleviate any significant flooding that may occur,
- Completing a preliminary assessment on the potential for strategic maintenance on the River Shannon and agreeing to a €7 million strategic programme of maintenance works and the removal of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ on the bed of the River Shannon between Athlone and Meelick Weir to improve the conveyancing of the River Shannon.
In addition, a Hydro-Geomorphology Study to examine the cause, degree and rate of restriction downstream of Parteen Weir in the Lower Shannon has been carried out. This study included a review of sediment patterns downstream of Parteen Weir. At its meeting on 22nd of October, the Group agreed to the next phase of this work which will involve a high level assessment to explore the various options, potential benefits and indicative costs of each option and a more detailed study to identify appropriate measures for the preferred option.
The Hydro-Geomorphology Study is available from the OPWs website www.opw.ie.
