Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when work is scheduled to begin on the first phase of the Fermoy plan and the second phase of the Mallow flood relief plan in view of the recent flooding in both towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7554/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Tender documents for the appointment of a civil engineering contractor to undertake the construction works on the Munster Blackwater River (Fermoy North) Drainage Scheme are currently being finalised. It is expected that a contractor will be appointed by May of this year, once Confirmation of the Scheme by the Minister for Finance is received, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts, allowing construction works to commence soon after.

In Mallow, construction works on the Munster Blackwater River (Mallow North) Drainage Scheme is hoped to commence before the end of March with construction being completed within twelve months.

The Office of Public Works recognise the importance of continuity of the works in both towns and so intend to commence the detailed design of the follow-on phases in both Fermoy and Mallow very shortly, thereby allowing construction of these phases to commence as the current phases are completed.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the progress made regarding the continuous difficulty in the Raphoe area with serious flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7605/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by my officials in the Office of Public Works that they are working in close consultation with Donegal County Council in relation to the question of how to tackle the problem of flooding in Raphoe. A pre-feasibility Flood Study, to be funded by OPW, is being undertaken to identify options/solutions that would remove or alleviate the flood risk. It is hoped that the Flood Study report will be available by summer 2008. Provided the study identifies that economically and environmentally sustainable solutions are feasible, then works will commence as soon as possible thereafter. This may take the form of a programme of works to be carried out by Donegal County Council with funding and engineering advice and assistance from OPW.