John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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264. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the allocation of funding to Wicklow County Council by the Office of Public Works to carry out maintenance work on the Dargle River flood protection scheme for each year between 2017 and 2021; the nature of the maintenance works; if they are agreed with the OPW; and if the scheme is inspected by officials from the OPW. [24486/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The development, planning and construction of the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme were undertaken under Local Authority powers, with funding provided by the Office of the Public Works. Wicklow County Council, as the contracting authority, is therefore responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Scheme.

Officials from Wicklow County Council have advised that, since the Scheme was brought to substantial completion in 2017, maintenance works undertaken have included invasive species control, some reinstatements and tree removal from the river. In 2020, maintenance works were limited to the cleaning out of silt traps. This year the Council will look at the removal of some build-up of material at the debris traps when the water level drops and the area is accessible. District staff at the Council will review the area again as the season for accessing the river opens.

To date my Office has not reimbursed the Council for maintenance costs on the Scheme, but is expected to do so in the near future, once these costs have been applied for and approved by the relevant Officials.