Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will commit to a re-evaluation of the Ennis flood relief scheme in view of the recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44645/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The flood relief scheme designed for Ennis comprises of three phases. The Ennis Upper Scheme and the Ennis Lower Scheme are being funded and built by the Office of Public Works, while works at Aughanteeroe, in Ennis, are being funded by OPW and carried out by Ennis Town Council. It is understood that these latter works are about to proceed.

In relation to the Ennis Upper Scheme, works are nearing completion in the town and works carried out to date held up under the recent flooding and saved much of the town centre in Ennis. OPW is preparing to go to tender for a Civil Engineering Contractor in order to carry out the Ennis Lower Scheme. A review of this phase has already taken place and the lower scheme will be subject to minor alterations arising from information gleaned during the current flood event.

Flood Relief works at St. Flannan's College are being incorporated by Clare County Council and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government into the proposed Ennis Main Drainage Scheme. The flood relief element of these works will be funded by OPW.

Certain other areas in Ennis, outside of those area benefitting from the phases outlined above, did suffer flooding recently, and these areas have been identified and will be considered for further flood relief works to be carried out, either by OPW or by the local authority, with funding provided by OPW.