Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the funding that can be provided to Dublin City Council for an assessment of needs or hydraulic study on the culverted Swan River, Dublin, which has caused multiple local floods in recent years, but which does not form part of the Eastern CFRAMS carried out by the Office of Public Works as it is culverted; if he considers the Swan River to be part of the Rathmines and Pembroke drainage scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41431/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for maintenance and remedial works on urban drainage infrastructure, lies with the relevant local authority, in the first instance.

However, the Rathmines and Pembroke Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as a scheme to advance through planning. While I understand that the Swan River lies within the catchment of this scheme, the submission of Dublin City Council’s Preliminary Report for the scheme is awaited in my Department and until this is received it is not possible to say what the extent of the proposals will be.

Urban storm water drainage systems fall outside of the remit of the Office of Public Works generally, although I understand there have been discussions previously between that Office and Dublin City Council in relation to the Swan river, in the context of OPW’s coordination role on flood risk management.