Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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34. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter regarding flooding at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22431/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The location referred to by the Deputy is within the Feale Catchment Drainage Scheme which is under the auspices of the OPW.

The River Feale at this location is designated as a Special Area of Conservation. Before any works could commence to the gravel island, an Appropriate Assessment and full Natura Impact Statement was necessitated and this was undertaken in 2020. However, invasive species including Japanese knotweed and Himalayan Balsam have been identified within the gravel island.

A programme of Invasive Species Management has been commenced for the area and treatment will be continued over the next number of years to mitigate risk associated with the spread of the invasive species identified. The OPW will carry out some general vegetation management works in the area within the constraints imposed by these invasive species.

A potentially viable flood relief scheme for Listowel has been identified in the Tralee Bay – Feale Flood Risk Management Plan.   While Listowel has not been included in the first tranche of schemes to be delivered under the Flood Risk Management Plans, the Government is committed to the implementation of all of the schemes included in the Plans within the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2018 – 2027.