Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

9:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Finance if aerial surveys of flood affected areas in counties Roscommon and Leitrim have been completed, including hydrometric information; if this information has been provided to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1619/10]

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works captured a considerable amount of aerial survey data for the River Shannon from Boyle to Athlone during the period of the flooding events of 2009. OPW has requested local authorities, in the areas affected, to submit all available information on the flood events of November 2009. In addition, OPW has received further relevant data from other State agencies and the EU and this information will be processed and made available. OPW is producing a number of copies of the data at present for distribution to relevant State bodies on request. A large number of requests for data have been received recently, and these are being processed at present. In due course, the available data will be publicly available on the following OPW website www.floodmaps.ie

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding a statement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1620/10]

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to take this opportunity to update the Deputy on my remarks to the House on November 24th, 2009 during the severe flooding that affected certain parts of the country at that time.

Since I spoke on that occasion, the Government has undertaken a number of initiatives to address the situation. The most pressing issue at the time was to provide assistance to those immediately affected and also to assist the Local Authorities in the post-flood clean-up. An initial sum of €10m was provided for a Humanitarian Aid Scheme, which is administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, to alleviate the hardship caused. The Government also indicated that further funding would be made available, if required.

A further €2m was allocated for a targeted Fodder Aid Scheme to assist farmers who were experiencing a fodder shortage, which might have led to financial hardship and potential animal welfare issues on affected farms.

Funding of €14m was provided by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the post-flood clean-up by Local Authorities.

In addition to these immediate initiatives, the Government has allocated €50m for flood risk management activities for 2010, which is administered by the Office of Public Works. This increased allocation will allow OPW to extend the number of Capital Works schemes already underway throughout the country. Within the overall allocation, I have also announced an increase for Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works to be undertaken by Local Authorities in 2010. This Programme, which I initiated in 2009, has been increased initially to €6m and is to cater for works or studies which can be completed in 2010. OPW is currently seeking applications from Local Authorities and when the applications are received and evaluated the allocation may be reviewed.

OPW has undertaken a rigorous collection of data and information since the November 2009 floods and has already met with several local authorities to review the recent flood events and identify actions required. This may well lead to further areas where works can be undertaken by OPW, in addition to the major schemes already under construction in Clonmel Co Tipperary, Mallow Co Cork, Fermoy Co Cork, Ennis Co Clare, Mornington Co Meath and the River Dodder in Dublin, and the schemes at various stages of development which include Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, Bray and Arklow, Co. Wicklow amongst others.

As the Deputy may be particularly interested in the River Shannon area, I can confirm that the Shannon Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study will be commissioned in mid-2010. This will identify the level of flood risk in the catchment as well as a prioritised plan of measures to address the risks identified. The study will involve all of the main stakeholders who have a role in the management of the Shannon, with a view to ensuring that all flood risk factors are managed in a co-ordinated way. Included in the Study will be the area of Ballinasloe which has been subjected to severe flooding since November. OPW has already met the local authority to identify interim measures to mitigate the flood risk in the town, and I met with them myself yesterday, 18 January, in Ballinasloe.

Finally, I would like to like to confirm that tender documents for the procurement of consultants to undertake a National Flood Warning System are currently being finalised with the relevant stakeholders and will issue shortly.

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