Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Finance the reasons for the delay in carrying out works at Ballinasloe, County Galway to alleviate the danger of flooding for residents, especially in the Derrymullen and Ashfield areas, which were prioritised in February 2010 and has not yet started; the funds already spent in Ballinasloe flood alleviation to date by the local Council; and if he will state when works will be completed [39418/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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In June of this year, the Office of Public Works agreed to fund works under the Minor Flood Works scheme for mitigation works in Ballinasloe. The allocations include €360,200 for works in the Derrymullen and Ashfield areas. The scheduling and progressing of these projects is a matter for Galway County Council.

The OPW would not necessarily be aware of the total spent by Galway County Council on flood alleviation in Ballinasloe. The Council has recently applied to draw down €95,850 of the allocations under the Minor Works scheme for works in the Town, in addition to €9,000 for a flood study.

Within the past week, the Council has applied for additional funding for the works in the Derrymullen/Ashfield areas in light of changes to the specification to provide the necessary level of protection to the town. The Office of Public Works has agreed to increase the funding to €900,000.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Finance when will the final report on the south Galway drainage be launched; if he will outline the main proposals of this report as there is great concern that floods may return without any alleviation works being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39419/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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In July of this year the Office of Public Works commissioned consultants to undertake a review of the recommendations of the 1998 South Galway Flood Study report with the aim of developing proposals for specific flood alleviation measures that can be implemented subject to obtaining statutory consents and stakeholder agreement.

It is expected that the consultant's review of the Study's recommendations will be completed by the end of the year. In the interim, where viable mitigation measures are identified by the consultants, OPW will look to take them forward, in conjunction with Galway County Council, under the framework of the Minor Flood Works scheme.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Finance the cost to his Department of works carried out in the village of Abbey, Loghrea, County Galway to alleviate the danger of flooding in the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39424/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The works referred to by the Deputy involved installation of a by-pass culvert under the public road and the backyard of a property in Abbey to alleviate flooding in the village. The works are almost complete and the cost to date is €86,700.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Finance the reasons, at a time when flood alleviation is of primary concern throughout the country, the OPW have deposited several hundred tons of rock into the bed of river (details supplied) at the request of Inland Fisheries Ireland, at a section of the river where flooding has reportedly occurred on the main road at this point; if he will accept that as he has the lead role in flood alleviation that he has agreed to this obstacle to be put in the river course by OPW machinery; if he will provide the costings incurred in these works to his Department and to Inland Fisheries Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39425/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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In carrying out its role as lead agency for flood risk management, the Office of Public Works co-operates with other state bodies, particularly environmental stakeholders such as Inland Fisheries. The works referred to by the Deputy were carried out as part of a programme being undertaken by the OPW in conjunction with Inland Fisheries that aims to incorporate environmental river enhancement measures in OPW's drainage maintenance activities where this is feasible and does not conflict with effective flood risk management. OPW is satisfied that the enhancement works referred to, which were carried out by the Office's staff at a total cost of €8,757, do not contribute to flood risk in the area.