Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of schemes being examined by the Office of Public Works in relation to flood relief; the locations of these schemes; the estimated cost of remedial measures; the schemes that have been funded since 2002; the stage through which these schemes must pass; the available resources under the National Development Plan for such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4666/07]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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There are a large number of areas throughout the country where flood relief works are being considered by the Office of Public Works. These works are generally carried out by OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts but may be carried out by Local Authorities under their own powers with OPW funding.

In general, a Feasibility Study will be carried out before a decision is made to undertake a flood relief scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts. If the Feasibility Study indicates that a scheme can be implemented, that it is cost beneficial to undertake such a scheme, if an Environmental assessment confirms that there are no environmental impediments to undertaking the scheme, and subject to the outline of the scheme having the agreement of the local authority, then a formal Public Exhibition of the proposals must take place in order to progress the scheme. Following the successful completion of the Exhibition process, OPW may decide to undertake the detailed design of the scheme which must then be Confirmed by the Minister for Finance in order for construction to commence.

The following list indicates the areas, which are at various stages of development. As some of these schemes have not reached detailed design stage it is not possible to give exact costings, but it is estimated that to construct flood relief schemes in all these areas would cost in excess of €400 million. Construction is scheduled to commence in some of these areas in 2007 and OPW has a budget of €32 million for flood relief activities in 2007 as part of the National Development Plan.

Since 2002 OPW has either undertaken or funded works in the following areas:—