Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

It is beyond doubt, however, that the rainfall over the area on the night of 31 July and 1 August was several times greater than the highest level that would be expected and that in turn produced a flood in the river far beyond the normal probabilities of occurrence. The River Arra, which flows through the town, is part of the River Feale catchment and is therefore maintained on a regular basis by the Office of Public Works. Prior to the flood it had been maintained in 2006 and would have coped comfortably with the normal rainfall for the area. The rainfall on the night, however, was, as I noted already, far beyond the norm. As a result, the flood was not contained within the river walls and banks, thus causing the devastation that is now well documented. The OPW has carried out further maintenance works on the channel through the town to remove any debris or vegetation that might impede flows in the river in future flood conditions.

The OPW also has commenced a detailed analysis of the 1 August flood event with a view to identifying options that might reduce the likelihood of flooding. The findings of the study recently commissioned by Limerick County Council on the flooding will be taken into account in this analysis. The aim of the analysis would be to ensure the town has the level of immunity from flooding that would generally be provided by the OPW's flood relief schemes. This would provide protection from flood events of a severity that would be expected to occur once in every 100 years. Preliminary analysis has indicated that there may be stretches of the channel where this level of protection is not available at present. If this proves to be the case, my office will work with Limerick County Council to have the necessary works carried out, provided these are acceptable on economic and environmental grounds. I will endeavour to ensure that, notwithstanding the current difficult financial and economic conditions, funding will be available to allow works to proceed as soon as possible.

I am conscious that in addition to the trauma caused by the flooding, people also suffered financial loss arising from the damage caused to their property. The Department of Social and Family Affairs has responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance where it is considered appropriate and is providing help through the community welfare officer network to victims of the recent flooding. It is hoped that since Newcastle West has not experienced flooding in recent memory, most of the losses sustained by victims will be covered by insurance. However, people who are suffering hardship should contact the local community welfare officer for assistance and each case will be dealt with confidentially and on its merits. Recent humanitarian assistance schemes have not extended to cover business or agriculture.

I assure the House that the Office of Public Works will continue to work in partnership with Limerick County Council to try to alleviate the risk of future flooding in Newcastle West and the surrounding areas. OPW officials already have attended meetings of Newcastle West Town Council and a public meeting in the town to give information to councillors and the public on the position. The OPW will continue, through the council, to make relevant information available and in particular will work to try to ensure Newcastle West is protected from a flood that has a 1% probability of occurrence and therefore has the same level of protection as other areas of the country at risk from river flooding.

I should also state that the OPW is aware of the flooding that occurred in Athea, County Limerick, on the same day as the flooding in Newcastle West. The flooding did not occur from a channel for which the Office of Public Works has responsibility but notwithstanding this, the OPW did provide assistance to the council with the clean-up after the event.

I conclude by again expressing my sympathy to the victims of the flooding in Newcastle West and surrounding areas——

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