John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

The OPW has informed me that the flood alleviation works on the River Griffeen in Lucan were carried out by South Dublin County Council and completed in 2006. The initial phase of the works was funded by the council and the final phase was funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The council has indicated that the works were completed satisfactorily and it is unaware of any continuing flooding issue in Lucan since the works were completed. I am happy to relay the Deputy's request to meet the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, and I am certain he will visit the site and speak directly to Deputy Keating. I have asked the OPW to follow up with South Dublin County Council and the insurance industry as part of ongoing discussions. A meeting with representatives of the IIF involving everybody might be a good way to follow up.

The previous Administration examined the introduction of a scheme to protect householders who cannot obtain household insurance from regular insurance bodies due to flooding risk. This approach was not considered financially viable as it was believed that over time it would incentivise the industry to discontinue the provision of cover in medium and high risk areas, thus making the cost of such a scheme prohibitive. In the current economic circumstances there are no proposals for a State indemnification scheme.

The OPW allocation for flood risk management for 2012 is €45 million, with a further €17 million provided for maintenance of completed arterial drainage schemes. The EU floods directive requires that the catchment flood risk assessment and management study, CFRAMS, be completed by the end of December 2015. I will bring the concerns of both Deputies to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, and I ask them to sit down with representatives of the OPW and arrange for the Minister of State to visit the affected sites.

See this speech in context