Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department has examined the need for the cleaning of rivers or tributaries with view to eliminating the potential for flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8411/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for maintenance of rivers and tributaries rests with a range of State bodies and riparian landowners.

Cleaning of rivers and tributaries is just one of a range of measures that can be used to mitigate flood risk. It is not always the most appropriate solution. OPW has had to take account of substantial constraints arising from ecological and environmental considerations in a number of cases where cleaning work was considered the appropriate solution but the river or tributary was in an Area of Scientific Interest, or a Special Area of Conservation or carried other protected status.

The National Flood Policy, which was adopted in 2004, appointed the Office of Public Works the State's lead agency for implementing policy in relation to flood risk management. The OPW is pursuing a broad-ranging strategy, including programmes that may consist wholly or partly of works to channels, to mitigate the effects of existing flood risk and to prevent the creation of future flood risk.

Where appropriate major schemes carried out under OPW's ongoing Flood Relief programme include channel works and the benefit and appropriateness of such works is invariably examined as part of the appraisal of scheme options.

OPW is also assisting Local Authorities though the provision of advice, funding or the execution of works as appropriate in each case, to deal with localised flooding problems where economic, social and environmental considerations support such measures.

OPW carries out an annual programme to ensure that channels that were improved by the Office as part of completed Arterial Drainage or Flood Relief schemes are maintained in proper repair and effective condition. The Commissioners also monitor generally the level of maintenance of channels forming part of schemes known as Drainage Districts for which Local Authorities have responsibility.

Proposals are currently being developed, for designating for maintenance by OPW, channels which the Office does not currently have responsibility for that could give rise to significant flood risk, subject to the availability of resources.

OPW has commenced a programme of Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Studies, in conjunction with other stakeholders, that will identify for each catchment options for managing significant risk, including channel works where appropriate.

The Flood Hazard Mapping website maintained by OPW displays information in relation to flood prone areas that can assist Local Authorities and other interested individuals to identify locations where risk mitigation may be required.