John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Finance the work which is to be undertaken at the water barrack, Kilkenny to relieve the flooding of the amenity area at this location as a consequence of work carried out in the area as part of the flood relief scheme; if the design of a grid in the river at the same location will be examined; the person who is responsible for cleaning this grid; if signs will be erected at the footbridge clearly indicating the danger particularly for children; if the area and the playing field will be reinstated when the temporary road is removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2855/05]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The area in question is the playing field next to the new trash rack on the River Breagagh, upstream of Blackcat Bridge. The drainage scheme works are not designed to provide flood protection to the playing fields area. This area has always been susceptible to flooding and will continue to flood during high river flows, when it acts as a flood plain. Such flooding is not a consequence of the drainage scheme works.

The "grid" to which the Deputy referred is a trash rack the function of which is to trap flood debris upstream of the residential and commercial areas provided with flood protection by the drainage scheme. As the trash rack and the area immediately surrounding it are within the contractor's site, it cleans the rack when instructed to do so by the resident engineering staff. When the contractor hands back this area, responsibility for regular cleaning of the rack will lie with the Office of Public Works as part of its maintenance responsibilities.

During the extreme weather conditions experienced in October 2004, many areas suffered severe urban flooding. At this time, the playing field area flooded which was not unexpected, given that the area acts as a flood plain. This flooding was not connected with the presence of the trash rack. The Office of Public Works is not aware of any instances of flooding of the playing fields, or other areas upstream, attributable to the presence of the trash rack. There are no plans to examine the design of the rack.

Fencing will be installed adjacent to the trash rack to minimise access to it. A "Danger — Keep Out" warning sign will be erected on the access gate to the trash rack. The grassed area surrounding the trash rack, including a corner of the playing field, will be reinstated by the contractor. This work cannot be carried out until the ground in the area has dried out sufficiently.