Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has maintenance responsibility for those Catchment Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief Schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, including the Corrib-Mask-Robe Catchment Drainage Scheme which includes a channel in Cong. The OPW has no responsibility for the maintenance of channels which do not form part of OPW schemes, nor any authority to carry out any works there. The flooding issues in Cong are related to a number of sources, including underground channels.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and local authorities may carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources. The OPW operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme under which funding can be provided to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.

I understand that Mayo County Council have retained consulting engineers to look at flooding issues in and around the village of Cong. OPW Regional Staff have met with the Council, its consultants, residents affected by flooding and Inland Fisheries Ireland, and have also carried out a number of surveys in the area. OPW staff are providing data to assist the Council in bringing forward a funding application under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the scheme's eligibility criteria.

Certain works on the OPW channel have been identified, and these are being put in hand. Plans are being developed for a tree management package in conjunction with Coillte who own the forestry on the right bank of the channel. It is hoped that work on this can commence at the end of the nesting season (1st September) subject to the required environmental assessments.