Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the person who has responsibility for a matter in the national grid areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19093/11]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the matter of the embankments at Killadysert and Ballynacally, which were formerly maintained by the Land Commission. Following the abolition of that body, the Public Trustee, an official in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, administers a fund that was intended to provide for maintenance of the former Land Commission embankments. In practice, however, there is little, if any, funds remaining for maintenance of any of these structures. Maintenance works have in some places been carried out on these embankments by the relevant landowners.

Following representations on behalf of property owners, the Office of Public Works (OPW) undertook a study in relation to the feasibility of upgrading the former Land Commission embankments in these areas, and having the control and management for same transferred to the OPW. The study report of March, 2009 concluded that it would not be economically feasible for the OPW to upgrade these embankments to the required standard and take any in charge, having regard to demands on OPW for priority flood mitigation works at other locations. I have arranged for a copy of the report to be sent to the Deputy.

In 2009, the OPW introduced the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Studies Scheme to provide funding to Local Authorities to address localised flood problems where a solution had been identified or could be readily identified. The Scheme has been continued for 2010 and 2011. In 2010, Clare County Council submitted a funding application under the scheme to repair 130m of the embankment at Ballycorrick, Ballynacally and €46,800 was subsequently allocated to the Council for this project. It is open to the Council to submit further applications for works to the embankments at the locations concerned. If further applications are received, they will be considered in light of the scheme criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.