Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 62: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if funding will be made available to refurbish the bank of the River Feale and its tributaries in 2008. [25797/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 63: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will release funds for the refurbishment of the banks of the River Brick between Lixnaw Bridge and Ballingar Bridge in order to prevent flooding that would threaten local housing. [25798/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 63 together.

A programme of refurbishment of the embankments of the Feale Catchment Drainage Scheme, which includes the river Brick under the maintenance provisions of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, commenced this year. It is intended that this programme will continue.

The work is being prioritised on the basis of risk to housing and while the OPW is at present finalising its programme for 2008, it is likely that the focus will be on the town of Listowel next year.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when work on the Fermoy flood plan is scheduled to commence; the estimated duration of the works; the cost of the works with a detailed breakdown of when phase 2 and 3 are expected to follow; and the effect the works will have on traffic flow in the town. [25799/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Detailed design of the Munster Blackwater (Fermoy North) Drainage Scheme, the first of three separate flood relief schemes for the town of Fermoy, is now virtually complete. The Office of Public Works is in the process of completing the Pre-Qualification process for the appointment of a contractor for the construction of the civil engineering works of the Scheme, which will allow tenders to be sought from the successful candidates within the next few weeks. Once tenders are received, OPW will seek to have the Scheme Confirmed by the Minister for Finance, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. This should allow construction works to commence in March/April, 2008.

It is anticipated that the works on the Fermoy North Scheme will take approximately 12 months to complete. Detailed cost estimates for the Fermoy North scheme will be available once tenders are received for the civil engineering works. However, it is estimated that the costs of implementing all three schemes, including maintenance over the lifetime of all three schemes, will be in the region of €37 million at present values. This is a tentative estimate at this stage and will be reviewed as detailed design of phases proceeds. Detailed traffic management plans will be incorporated into the contractor's programme before construction commences. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the town during construction.

Detailed design of the Fermoy South West Scheme will commence when construction on the North Scheme is under way. The South East Scheme will follow similarly when construction commences on the South West Scheme. Overall, it is expected that it take about four to five years to complete all three schemes.