Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Finance the position in regard to the various drainage schemes in County Kildare in respect of which he has been in contact with Kildare County Council or where the local authority has made a submission seeking his approval; the extent to which such schemes are expected to progress in the near future; if this will include the Mill Lane drainage proposals in Leixlip, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42906/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The Commissioners of Public Works carried out a Flood Relief Scheme on the Shinkeen Stream in Hazelhatch in County Kildare which was completed in 2002. In addition, works were funded and carried out by the OPW on behalf of Kildare County Council on the Lyreen and Meadowbrook Rivers in Maynooth together with the Morrell River in the Kill/Johnstown area in 2003. Works were also carried out on the River Slate in 2003 with the OPW acting as agents for Kildare County Council.

Kildare County Council and OPW agree that the existing information in relation to flooding at Ardclough is insufficient to address the flooding problem. The existing study indicates that surface water problems are a major factor in the flooding of this area. In relation to flooding at Straffan, this is a surface water problem and therefore a matter for the Local Authority.

The Commissioners of Public Works met with Kildare County Council in November 2006 and it was agreed that a flood relief scheme could be provided for the Rye River if the County Council has the necessary planning processes complete in early 2007. The proposed works would be funded by the OPW with the Commissioners of Public Works prepared to undertake them as agents for the Local Authority. The flooding at Mill Lane, Leixlip was also discussed and we are continuing to work with the County Council and their Consulting Engineers to establish a solution to the flooding in this area.