Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2024
243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the person responsible for works to be carried out to assist with flooding issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41207/24]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the implementation of the EU Floods Directive. It is also responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief Schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995 as amended. The maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts, known as Drainage Districts, is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority.
The area in question does not form part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme and therefore the OPW has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel, nor any authority to carry out any works there.
In general, responsibility for watercourses outside of the remit of local authorities and the OPW is a matter for the landowner(s) concerned who have an important role in ensuring that watercourses are managed and free flowing so that in extreme weather events the risk of flooding can be minimised. A guide to the rights and responsibilities of landowners is available online at static-floodinfo.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static/floodmaps/docs/riparian-guide-january-2020.pdf
Where flood risk relates to communities, the Council may apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects, with the balance being funded by the local authority concerned. Any application received is considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which comprise economic, social and environmental criteria including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.
