Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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120. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason works have not been carried out, given that they were promised as part of the planned works for 2014 in correspondence (details supplied) dated 30 August 2013 from the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works; when they will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8196/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The OPW carries Arterial Drainage Maintenance to a total of 11,500km of river channel and approximately 730km of embankments nationally. These maintenance works relate to arterial drainage schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, whose purpose was primarily to improve the drainage of agricultural lands. The OPW has a statutory duty to maintain the completed schemes in proper repair and in an effective condition. The annual maintenance programme typically involves some clearance of vegetation and removal of silt build-up on an average five-yearly cycle.

In December 2013 and January 2014, the country experienced a number of exceptional storm events which gave rise to widespread flood events and significant damage to flood defences. OPW has prioritised its resources in responding to these events and in repairing, reinstating and strengthening damaged flood defences. This resulted in the postponement of certain scheduled maintenance works. These works have been included in the 2016 works programme and are expected to be carried out in the coming months.