Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made to date on the remedial works carried out with regard to flooding and those that are about to be carried out in places at which there was severe flooding in late 2009; the position regarding the drainage scheme at Ballinasloe town and the drainage on the Dunkellin river from Craughwell to Kilcolgan; the other areas that are to be grant aided this year; the flooding black spots that are being addressed in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14836/11]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Details of funding allocated in 2010 by the Office of Public Works under the Minor Flood & Coastal Protection Scheme are given in the table below.

To date in 2011, 9 local authorities have had 24 applications approved for funding totalling €1,037,425. Of these, 12 applications were from Galway County Council, totalling €338,850. Progress in relation to the works to be undertaken in each particular case is a matter for the local authority concerned.

Following a call for proposals in 2011, twenty one local authorities have recently submitted applications and these are currently being assessed in accordance with the scheme criteria and also having regard to the overall availability of resources.

In December 2009, the Office of Public Works and Galway County Council established a Joint Working Group to examine the causes of flooding in the County and to identify interim flood mitigation measures.

Regarding Ballinasloe, the Office of Public Works has provided funding to Galway County Council to construct a flood wall to protect the Derrymullen area, which is approaching completion and has also funded a number of other works including blocked openings at East Bridge and the removal of obsolete sluices at the same location. In the past few weeks Galway County Council has applied for funding to improve the East Bridge, this application is under consideration at present.

In relation to the Dunkellin River, the Office of Public Works has agreed to progress a programme of flood alleviation works for this River and the Aggard Stream. It has been agreed that Galway County Council will act as the Contracting Authority with overall responsibility for the Flood Relief Scheme and that OPW personnel will, on scheme approval, carry out the channel construction works, acting as agents of the Local Authority.

The Council has appointed the engineering & environmental consultants needed to complete the scheme design and to attain the necessary statutory permissions for the scheme. OPW have made provision in their current budgetary estimates to commence construction works on the Dunkellin Flood Relief Scheme in the latter half of 2011. However, this is contingent on all environmental considerations and issues being resolved to the satisfaction of the National Parks and Wildlife Services Division of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. It is also a prerequisite of the scheme that the Council secure the appropriate statutory permissions to allow the scheme to advance to construction.

Subject to the scheme obtaining the required approvals and consents and to continuing availability of funding, it is anticipated that the scheme will be at construction stage by the end of 2011 or early in 2012.

In addition, the Office of Public Works, in association with Galway County Council, are currently developing a Flood Relief Scheme for the Clare River in the environs of Claregalway, Caherlea/Lisheenavalla, and the Carnmore/Cashla areas. OPW has appointed environmental & consulting engineers to complete the detailed design of the scheme including the preparation necessary to have the scheme brought to Public Exhibition. If the scheme meets with approval from National Parks and Wildlife Services, the general public and other stakeholders it will be put forward to the Department of Finance for confirmation and approval. Subject to the scheme obtaining the required approvals and consents and to continuing availability of funding, it is anticipated that the scheme will be at construction stage by the end of 2011 or early in 2012. The OPW currently has provision in its budgetary estimates for the construction of the works.

In response to concerns of immediate flood risk last winter, it was agreed that the following remedial works would be carried out in advance of the Claregalway flood relief scheme: installation of an additional flood eye at Claregalway Bridge; construction of a new bridge at Crusheeny.

The works on Claregalway Bridge will be completed in June/July 2011 with works at Crusheeny Bridge, commencing with the demolition of the existing bridge, due to start in September 2011.

The study for the Shannon catchment based flood risk assessment and management plan began earlier this year. The study will identify and examine in detail the causes of flooding throughout the Shannon catchment and produce an integrated plan of specific measures to address the significant flood risk factors in a pro-active and comprehensive way.