Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide additional sluices at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5011/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The location referred to by the Deputy forms part of the Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme which was carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The OPW continues to have a statutory responsibility for the maintenance of this scheme.

The OPW is considering the installation of additional sluices in Callinafercy East and is currently surveying a number of locations.

Over the past 24 months, the OPW resources on the River Maine Catchment have been deployed in repairing, maintaining and improving flood defence assets (including sluice structures). These assets which provide protection against flooding to a large number of residences, suffered extensive damage during Storm Imogen and other recent storms. Work on the repair of these defence assets is currently being prioritised but the installation of additional sluices in the Callinafercy East area will be progressed as soon as resources allow.