Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Finance the total cost of flood prevention and flood alleviation in each of the past two years; the extent to which such sums have been included in application through the EU for flood relief moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42041/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has invested approximately €61.5 million on Capital Flood Relief Activities in 2008/09, with €24.9 million spent in 2008, and €36.5 million spent in 2009. In the same period, OPW spent €40.3 million under the Drainage Maintenance and Hydrometric Programmes.

Overall, this shows expenditure for flood-related activities in these two years being over €100 million, which is a considerable investment, and is an increase of 33% over the previous two years. The Department of Finance was also successful in obtaining €13 million from the EU Solidarity Fund in respect of last November's serious flooding, which affected various parts of the country. However, the Solidarity Fund does not provide funding for flood relief works, but instead provides for emergency operations to allow a rapid return to normal living conditions. The funding involved would have related to damage to roads, the provision of emergency accommodation, and costs incurred by the rescue services. The allocation of the monies is a matter for the Department of Finance, rather than the Office of Public Works.