Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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249. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has the responsibility for the section of the Clarin River that runs through Ballyboggan, Athenry County Galway; if he is aware that approximately 15 homes in this area are at serious risk of flooding and that, in the event of such a flood, residents would be effectively locked in their homes without access to emergency services or safe evacuation routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33310/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief Schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995 as amended. The area in question on the Clarin River does not form a part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme, and therefore the OPW has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel, nor any authority to carry out any works there.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address within their own administrative area, and Galway County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. It is open to the Council to apply to the OPW for funding for localised flood mitigation measures through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works, or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short timeframe.

Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed with regard to the specific economic, technical social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost-benefit ratio. The works to be funded under the scheme are carried out under Local Authority powers and the ongoing maintenance of the completed works are the responsibility of the Council.

Galway County Council submitted a request for Minor Works funding to the OPW in December 2024 for a study on the Clarin River. The OPW have since reviewed this application and have requested further information from the Council, which will be reviewed when submitted. Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €11.8 million to County Galway for some 244 projects.