Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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433. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details and costs of the structural repairs carried out on the banks of the River Maine in County Kerry in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30943/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme incorporates in the region of 250km of channels, 100km of embankment and over 320 structures (comprising of sluices and bridges) under the auspices of the Office of Public Works (OPW). Expenditure under the Capital Programme for Embankment Improvement along the River Maine from mid-2018 to end May 2021 amounted to over €2.8m. The maintenance works to the embankments include embankment refurbishment works, as well as structural repairs to any existing structures such as sluices forming part of the scheme and vegetation management (in the form of mulching, grass cutting, etc.).

There are significant additional maintenance works undertaken by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Scheme Maintenance Programme on the River Maine on an annual basis, the costs of which are not included in the expenditure figure above.

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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434. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration will be given in conjunction with the OPW to allowing a park (details supplied) to be kept open 24-hours a day during the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30951/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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St Stephen’s Green is a National Monument which contains a number of important historic sculptures and features, including floral displays. The OPW’s role is to protect and preserve Ireland’s national heritage including St Stephens Green for current and future generations. As one of Dublin city's major tourist attractions welcoming over 4 million visitors a year, it is imperative that this cultural site is available to visitors during normal opening hours.

The OPW does not consider this important heritage site to be an appropriate place for late night socialising. The OPW has limited staffing and operating resources which are directed at the care and presentation of this important site to the public. OPW is not resourced in anyway to deal with the type of operations proposed by the Deputy. Further, there is no public lighting in St Stephen's Green and therefore it is unsafe for recreational usage in hours of darkness.