Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his proposals for dealing with the ongoing flooding issues in south County Mayo, with particular reference to the Hollymount, Neale and Cong areas, with the flooding issue at the Neale crossroads, where road raising has not solved the issue, improving the canal linking Lough Mask and Lough Corrib, with particular reference to alleviating the ongoing flooding problem in Cong village, for de-silting the Robe and Bulkawn rivers near Ballinrobe in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3613/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A meeting is scheduled for, today, Thursday 28 January, between Office of Public Works (OPW) West Region engineering staff and the Director of Services and engineering staff of Mayo County Council to discuss flooding issues across Mayo generally, including the locations referred to by the Deputy. Investigation of flooding, in the first instance, is a matter for each local authority to investigate and address. Mayo County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The Council may also apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor works to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects that are estimated to cost no more than €500,000. Details of the Schemes eligibility criteria are published on the OPW website .

The OPW has responsibility for the maintenance of a number of rivers and channels in this area, including at the Robe and Bulkaun Rivers, in accordance with its statutory obligations under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. Maintenance is ongoing both as required and also as part of rolling annual arterial maintenance programme. Repairs to scheme structures and vegetation management in Ballinrobe town have been scheduled for 2016.