Written answers
Thursday, 1 October 2020
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
River Basin Management Plans
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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120. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to the decision of December 2019 to invest €7 million to advance a maintenance programme on the River Shannon; the detailed steps taken to date; the funds committed and drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27991/20]
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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121. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the dates of the meetings of the Shannon flood risk State agency co-ordination working group in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27992/20]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 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 from December, 2015 to January, 2016.
The Group meets bi-annually, once in Autumn to review the Work Programme and once in Spring to assess progress and issues arising during the Winter period. The Group met on two occasions in the last 12 months. The first of these meetings took place on 31stOctober, 2019 and a further meeting took place on 30thApril, 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. Additional meetings are held to progress work measures as necessary.
In October 2019, the Group agreed to a €7 million strategic programme of maintenance works and the removal of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ on the bed of the River Shannon between Athlone and Meelick Weir 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. These works are being implemented by Waterways Ireland.
In 2020, the OPW has transferred funding of €500,000 to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the co-sponsor of Waterways Ireland, to enable the preparatory and enabling phase of these works.
Waterways Ireland has advised the OPW that it has commenced work on advancing the various interventions for these works, with implementation expected to commence in 2021.
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 from December, 2015 to January, 2016.
The Group meets bi-annually, once in Autumn to review the Work Programme and once in Spring to assess progress and issues arising during the Winter period. The Group met on two occasions in the last 12 months. The first of these meetings took place on 31stOctober, 2019 and a further meeting took place on 30thApril, 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. Additional meetings are held to progress work measures as necessary.
In October 2019, the Group agreed to a €7 million strategic programme of maintenance works and the removal of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ on the bed of the River Shannon between Athlone and Meelick Weir 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. These works are being implemented by Waterways Ireland.
In 2020, the OPW has transferred funding of €500,000 to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the co-sponsor of Waterways Ireland, to enable the preparatory and enabling phase of these works.
Waterways Ireland has advised the OPW that it has commenced work on advancing the various interventions for these works, with implementation expected to commence in 2021.
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