Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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319. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date on the €7 million investment in the removal of the pinch points on the River Shannon which will address the scale of summer flooding in the Shannon Callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12785/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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In December, 2019, the Government noted that the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group agreed to provide €7m from the OPW Vote to Waterways Ireland to implement a co-ordinated strategic programme of maintenance activities for the River Shannon and for the removal of a number of constrictions in the Callows region. These proposed works can delay flooding and also benefit navigation and agricultural lands.

Waterways Ireland are advancing a range of these measures and expect to commence work on these in 2021. Some of the more complex measures will be subject to the full environmental assessments required and planning consent to proceed. Under the auspices of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group, Waterways Ireland and the OPW are working together on the preparation of the applications for the necessary consents and planning permissions.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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320. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans the OPW has put in place to carry out channel cleaning on the Killimor arterial drainage scheme, County Galway in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12786/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.

During 2021, arterial drainage maintenance works consisting of 58kms of minor channel and 5kms of major channel are planned at various locations across the catchment for the Killimor Catchment Drainage Scheme.