Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Finance the contribution that has been made to Limerick County Council to meet the costs of the initial consultancy reports that have been commissioned in the aftermath of flooding in Newcastle West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31828/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Finance the funding he has made available to Newcastle West and its environs in the aftermath of the recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31830/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has reviewed the initial report commissioned by Limerick County Council in the aftermath of flooding in the town and the response of his Department to the report, particularly in relation to the assertions contained in respect of civil works carried out along the banks of the River Arra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31833/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Finance when the River Arra through Newcastle West was last dredged; the plans in place to carry out works on the river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31835/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 105, 107 and 109 together.

Maintenance works on the River Arra at Newcastle West, involving the removal of vegetation to improve water flow, were carried out by the Office of Public Works subsequent to the recent serious flood event. Similar works had been carried out in 2006. Dredging work was not carried out in recent years as it was not deemed necessary due to the relatively steep gradient of the channel.

Limerick County Council did not seek a contribution from OPW towards the cost of the consultants' report that was commissioned by the Council in relation to the recent flood event. OPW staff provided technical input to the consultants in the preparation of the report.

OPW engineering staff have begun a detailed analysis of the causes of the flooding with a view to identifying potential mitigation measures. The OPW have reviewed the consultants' report and will take relevant findings into account in their analysis. Any issues in relation to riverbank development would be a matter for Limerick County Council. If options are identified that are economically and environmentally acceptable they will be included in OPW's flood relief programme, subject to other commitments and the availability of resources. The aim of such measures would be to provide the level of protection normally afforded by urban flood relief schemes i.e. protection against flood events that would be expected to have a 1% chance of occurring each year.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs is providing assistance where appropriate to victims of the recent flooding, through the Community Welfare Officer network.