Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As I stated, the CFRAM is concentrating on areas of population. Other areas are being dealt with under the budget through minor works schemes proposed by local authorities. They can run to €500,000. I do not have the figures with me but between 2009 and 2015, there were 514 schemes done that way, with €30 million expended on minor works schemes in that time. There is no let-up with the minor works schemes. I encourage all local authorities which can identify schemes to submit them to the Office of Public Works as the money is there to carry them out. That is important.

The Deputy's question related to spending money, particularly what has been spent and what will be spent during the year. As a result of rules and regulations, there are certain windows of opportunity in which we can carry out works and there are certain times when it cannot be done. In the river areas, July to September is a window in which we can carry out works. We cannot go into the rivers outside that time. There is a certain amount of work done before moving on. We do as much as possible in the window but then we have to wait for the next window. It is a bit like doing the hedge trimming on the roads, which is governed by the bird nesting season. The rivers also have rules and regulations. Sometimes with flood relief schemes there is a stop-go issue, which is why it takes longer to carry out a project. It is not an ongoing process but seasonal. Since the end of May, additional spending of up to €10 million has been used.