Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Finance the action he has taken in the intervening period since November 2009 to address the issue of flooding in various sensitive areas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31308/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government allocated €68.3 million for flood risk management activities for 2010 with €50 million allocated for Capital Works related items. This increased allocation for Capital Works will allow OPW to extend the number of flood relief schemes already underway throughout the country. Within the overall allocation, I also announced an increase for Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works to be undertaken by Local Authorities in 2010. OPW has already allocated €10.6 million to Local Authorities this year under the Programme, and it is still open to Local Authorities to make further submissions, which can be considered, having regard to available resources.

Since the November 2009 floods, OPW has undertaken a rigorous collection of data and information, and has already agreed with relevant local authorities measures which can be implemented in the coming months. This has led to a Feasibility Study to be undertaken in Bandon, Co Cork, and with works at various locations being progressed in County Galway. Further consideration is being given to other areas which may also lead to works being 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. As indicated in my reply to Deputy on 22 April, 2010, regarding his own constituency, OPW and Kildare County Council agreed a programme of flood relief works in the Johnstown area of County Kildare, and work has now commenced there.

The Office of Public Works' strategy for the management of flood risks is based on the recommendations of the 2004 review of flood policy. Under the European Communities (Assessment and Management of Flood Risks) Regulations, 2010, the OPW has been appointed the national competent authority with lead responsibility for flood risk assessment and management in the State. OPW has commenced a national programme of Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management studies, which will lead to the development of comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment and Management plans for areas of significant flood risk. At present, the OPW is in the process of procuring consultants to undertake Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Studies for all national catchments including the Shannon.

The first pilot study on the river Lee was brought to public consultation phase in February 2010. OPW intend to appoint a consultant in the coming months to bring a scheme forward to public exhibition for the Lower Lee in Cork. Further pilots on the Rivers Dodder and Suir and in the Fingal East Meath (FEM) area are underway. The objective is to complete the programme nationally to meet the requirements set out in the EU Floods Directive.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Finance the funding that has been allocated to draining river beds across the country to prevent future flooding; if funding for this purpose will be provided annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31577/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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In total, €68.326m was allocated to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for 2010 for measures to reduce flood risk throughout the country, including works to river channels. This increased allocation has allowed OPW to continue with and expand its programmes for flood relief activities. Approximately €16.8m will be spent by the OPW this year in discharging its statutory responsibility for maintaining those river channels that were drained by the Office as part of schemes carried out under Arterial Drainage legislation. Maintenance of other waterways is the responsibility either of other public bodies, such as Local Authorities or Waterways Ireland, or of landowners adjoining the channels.

Major OPW Flood Relief Schemes are 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. Other schemes are at various stages of development, including Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, Bray and Arklow, Co. Wicklow amongst others. OPW is also in discussions with Dublin City Council with a view to undertaking its first major coastal flooding scheme in Clontarf. The OPW has allocated funding totalling €10.6m to Local Authorities for minor flood mitigation measures that they are undertaking in 2010.

The OPW is also continuing its Catchment Flood Risk Management Studies Programme, which will produce plans of mitigation measures for areas where there is significant flood risk, including channel works, where appropriate. OPW has profiled expenditure of approximately €300m for flood risk management up to 2014, with expenditure in excess of €200m being profiled on capital works in this period. I am confident that this expenditure under the current work programmes being undertaken by the Office of Public Works will significantly reduce the national level of risk to people, businesses, infrastructure and the environment.