Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he or his Department have carried out studies in relation to drainage needs or cleaning of watercourse, streams or rivers throughout the country with a view to the alleviation of flooding likely to arise in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23159/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works has carried out many studies since 1995 when the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act was enacted and has resulted in a large number of flood relief schemes being implemented. Currently, OPW is involved in a large number of studies at various stages from Pre-Feasibility to where works are being implemented. These include:—

River Tolka, Dublin and Meath

River Suir (Clonmel), Tipperary

Munster Blackwater (Mallow), Cork

Munster Blackwater (Fermoy), Cork

River Fergus (Ennis), Clare

River Barrow (Carlow), Carlow

John's River (Waterford), Waterford

River Slaney (Enniscorthy), Wexford

River Mall (Templemore), Tipperary

River Slaney (Tullow), Carlow

Mornington River, Meath

Avoca River (Arklow) Wicklow

River Pill (Piltown), Kilkenny

River Lee, Cork

River Dodder, Dublin

Tullamore, Offaly

Portarlington, Laois/Offaly

Harry's Mall, Limerick City

Rye River (Leixlip), Kildare

Silleachain River (Leixlip), Kildare

Dargle River (Bray) Wicklow

New Ross, Wexford

Letterkenny, Donegal

Raphoe, Donegal

River Shannon

Decisions to proceed to works on all schemes can only be decided upon the completion of Feasibility Studies.

The Office of Public Works is also working with a number of Local Authorities, to identify the cause of localised flooding which occurred early this year and possible solutions which can be implemented through minor local works and which can be shown to be environmentally acceptable and to have adequate social and economic benefit.

The Office of Public Works also maintains Arterial Drainage Schemes undertaken since 1945 and while these were designed primarily to provide improved land drainage, the standard of design was raised in urban areas and there is evidence that these schemes are effective in preventing flooding in such areas.

The Office of Public Works will commence work next year on the preparation of Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and management studies of river catchments throughout the country where it is considered that a significant risk of flooding exists. These studies will lead to the preparation of plans to manage the flood risks. The studies referred to above, which are currently under way on the River Lee and the River Dodder are pilot studies to prepare for this national programme.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position in regard to discussions between his Department, the Office of Public Works and Kildare County Council in regard to the alleviation of flooding at Mill Lane, Leixlip, County Kildare and the Slate River, Allenwood, County Kildare; when it is expected that the proposed works will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23161/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works and Kildare County Council have agreed a programme of works on the Silleachain River, which will alleviate flooding at Mill Lane, Leixlip, Co. Kildare. These works have received planning approval in accordance with Part 8 of the planning and development regulations and work on this project commenced in September this year. It is expected that this work will be completed in 2008.The Slate River forms part of the Rathangan Drainage District and maintenance of this river is therefore a matter for the local authority. The Office of Public Works carried out drainage works on the River Slate in 2003, as agents for Kildare County Council and there are no proposals to carry out further cleaning or drainage works.