Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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126. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the maintenance of the River Shannon; his plans to allow for additional river maintenance works to be carried out in March and April 2018 to help alleviate the damaging effects of flooding for farmers in the river's catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14530/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Group is building on the existing work and commitment of all the State Agencies involved in flood risk and continues to enhance the ongoing co-ordination and co-operation between members.

During 2017, targeted maintenance works were carried out at Madden’s Island, downstream of Banagher, to improve the conveyance capacity and navigation of the Shannon. Further works were due to be carried out last month however this was not possible due to the high water level on the channel. This work will be carried out later this year during the next cutting season.

Following the receipt of consent in September 2017 from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, targeted works have been planned for a number of other locations for the appropriate seasonal windows. To date, work has been carried out at Muckinish and Shannon Grove (Kilnaborris), in accordance with the consent provided. Further work at these and other locations for which consent applies will be planned in terms of the seasonal restrictions that may apply to the types of activity required at each site. Accordingly it is not possible to undertake additional river maintenance works in March and April.