Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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104. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the dates since 2016 the Shannon flood risk State agency co-ordination working group has met, either in person or virtually. [27738/20]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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107. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding provided to Waterways Ireland for maintenance work on the River Shannon in 2017, 2018 and 2019 in tabular form. [27727/20]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 107 together.

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government to support existing plans in place and planned to address flooding and to enhance the ongoing co-operation of all state agencies involved with the River Shannon.  The Group was established, at that time, following severe flooding arising from exceptional weather conditions between December, 2015 to January, 2016.

The Shannon Group met on five occasions during its first year of establishment in 2016.  Since that time, the Group has met bi-annually.

The date of each meeting is set out beneath.

2016: 1^stFebruary, 14^thMarch, 12^thJuly, 18^thOctober, 2^ndDecember.

2017:21^stMarch, 23^rdOctober.

2018:18^thMay, 12^thOctober.

2019:26^thMarch, 31^stOctober.

2020:30^thApril.

The next meeting of the Group is scheduled to take place on 22^ndOctober, 2020.

In 2017, the Group established a Sub-committee on Work Programme and Measures.  The Sub-committee typically meets between each meeting of the main Group and additional meetings are held to progress work measures as necessary.

The Group publishes an Annual Work Programme that demonstrates the extensive range of activities and co-ordination by all State Agencies underway to jointly and proactively address flood risk along the Shannon. These Work Programmes are available at www.opw.ie.

The Group also agreed to targeted maintenance activities at various locations along the River Shannon.  Following receipt of consent from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, work involving tree cutting and the removal of silt and emergent vegetation was undertaken by Waterways Ireland at five locations during the appropriate seasonal windows.  Funding was provided by OPW to Waterways Ireland to carry out this maintenance work.  The amount of funding provided between 2017 and 2019 is as follows:

- 2017: €48,853

- 2018: Nil

- 2019: €59,578

In October 2019, the Group agreed to a €7 million strategic programme of maintenance works and the removal of constrictions at the Callows region to improve the conveyancing of the River Shannon. The decision to undertake these works was noted by the Government in December 2019.  Public consultation will be required and progression will be subject to full environmental assessment and planning permission.  Waterways Ireland has advised that it has commenced work on advancing the various interventions for these works with implementation expected to commence in 2021.