Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding flood relief plans in respect of a town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6136/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works, in conjunction with Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Town Council, has developed outline flood relief proposals for Enniscorthy Town. I formally launched the statutory public exhibition of the proposed scheme in Enniscorthy this morning. The proposals will be on Public Exhibition, as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts, from today, Tuesday, 17 February, until Wednesday, 18 March at the Wexford County Council Offices in Enniscorthy, where the general public will be invited to view the proposed scheme and make any observations they see fit.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding flood relief plans in respect of towns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6137/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to Newcastle West, a preliminary study was carried out of the potential vulnerable areas. A flood model is being developed to identify the areas that do not have protection up to the 100-year flood level. This process involves confirming the river cross section by means of a site survey and this has now been completed. Work is planned to commence in May 2009 to construct flood defence walls in the Rathinagh area, so as to provide protection up to the 100-year flood level.

As part of the OPW's ongoing maintenance programme, tree felling will shortly be completed in the Demesne area. OPW has recently purchased an alarm to provide an audible warning during extreme flood events such as that occurred in July last year, and it will be installed as soon as possible and operated by the Local Authority. In relation to Clonmel, work on Phase 1 of the Scheme is in progress, and is well advanced. It was to be completed this year. Detailed design of the remaining elements of the scheme is in progress, and it is hoped that work on the ground can commence early in 2010.