Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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169. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will issue a reply to this Deputy regarding correspondence on the Office of Public Works investigations into a river (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12481/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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An Engineer from the Office of Public Works (OPW) met with a representative of Donegal County Council in June 2015 to inspect lands which had been flooded by the Bulba river in December 2014 and on previous occasions. Data from OPW’s Hydrometric records for Gartan Bridge (which date back to 1972) indicate a recurring flooding problem in this area since 1984.

The river concerned does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel nor any authority to carry out works there. Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address, and Donegal County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.

The Council may also apply to the Office of Public Works for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme’s eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, are published on the OPW website at .

Any application received will be considered in accordance with the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the scheme’s eligibility criteria. To date, OPW has not received any application from Donegal County Council for the location referred to in this question.

I might mention that, on the site visit, the presence of freshwater pearl mussels was noted within Gartan Lough and the Lennon River system. This presents an environmental issue that may restrict any proposed works along the Bulba river.