Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has received a request from a council (details supplied) to fund works in respect of summer flooding; and if provision has been made by his Department to fund such works. [44227/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department has received a request from a county council (details supplied) to fund works in respect of summer flooding in an area; if provision has been made by his Department to fund such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43358/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.

The Office of Public Works has not received a request for funding from Limerick County Council for works at Newcastle West.

The OPW is currently examining potential options to mitigate the risk to the town of flooding from the River Arra, which is maintained by the Office. 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.

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 OPW is in discussion with Limerick County Council regarding the installation of an alarm system that would alert residents when water levels in the river are high.