Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
376. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to introduce a scheme with immediate effect whereby the arches of bridges are kept clear (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46636/24]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended. The arterial drainage maintenance programme comprises 11,500km of river channel and 800km of embankments. This provides drainage for 260,000 hectares of agricultural lands, as well as a level of protection from flooding to much infrastructure, including in excess of 20,000 properties, 2,400 kilometres of roads and 77 towns and villages. Some 2,100km of channel and some 135km of embankments are maintained annually.
The maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts are known as Drainage Districts (DD), and local authorities are charged with the responsibility to maintain approx. 4,600 km of DD’s. The extent of the DD’s is available on www.floodinfo.ie under View Drainage Map tab.
Bridges which were modified to enhance conveyance during construction of the Schemes under the Arterial Drainage Act are routinely inspected and maintained as informed by Environmental Assessment when and where it is safe to do so.
Maintenance of road bridges is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
