Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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248. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32530/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has maintenance responsibility only for those Catchment Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief Schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995.

Neither Lough Lane nor the River Laune form part of an arterial drainage scheme under the auspices of this Office and, as such, we have no responsibility for their maintenance. Any cleaning of the rivers flowing into Lough Lane was not carried out by OPW as they do not form part of an arterial drainage scheme.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Kerry County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.

The Office of Public Works operates a 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 . It is open to Kerry County Council to submit a funding application under the 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, available on the OPW website.