Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the discussions entered into by the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works with the Irish Insurance Federation in relation to securing flood insurance coverage for areas subject to OPW and local authority flood protection works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3218/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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On foot of my constructive engagement with the insurance industry last year, I indicated that I wished to see an agreement reached as quickly as possible between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) on a sustainable system of information sharing in relation to completed flood alleviation schemes and works undertaken by the OPW or, in certain instances, by local authorities with OPW funding, and where the standard of protection afforded by these works could be verified.

Work has been ongoing in OPW on compiling information on such completed flood defence works in an appropriate format. A sample of data was provided to the IIF in July 2012. The IIF circulated this information to its member companies and a response was received by the OPW in November 2012. The feedback received from the insurance companies was positive and indicated that the sample information provided was usable subject to some relatively minor technical queries. A working group has now been established between, OPW, the IIF and representatives of several insurance companies to progress the work further. I am confident that good progress can be made on the exchange of information in order that the insurance industry can be better informed as to the extent and standard of investment by the OPW in flood protection measures and that that investment is taken fully into account in assessing flood risk for insurance purposes.

The first meeting of the working group took place on 17 January 2013 and the group will continue to meet regularly over the coming months in order to progress its work in this matter as expeditiously as possible.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the sums spent by the Office of Public Works up to the end of 2012 on flood protection works in the Dodder River and the work that has been completed thus far; his plans for future works; the estimated cost of future works and the sums committed to these works in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3219/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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A report aimed at identifying viable measures to reduce flood risk from both tidal and fluvial causes on the Lower Dodder was completed in January 2007 by Dublin City Council with funding from the Office of Public Works. Following discussions with the Council, the OPW agreed to undertake construction of the works with its direct labour force with, Dublin City Council managing the design and construction of the project. The works commenced in September 2007 at Ringsend Bridge moving upstream to New Bridge. The works have been undertaken on a phased basis by the OPW. While some works up to the Railway Bridge have yet to be finished, the flood defence aspect is in place, so the tidally affected area is now protected from flooding to the accepted 1 in 200 year standard for tidal flooding.

The OPW has expended approximately €13.1million on the works since 2007. The works have mainly involved the construction of new walls and embankments, installation of new flood gates, quay wall repairs and a new pedestrian walkway. Emergency works are currently ongoing upstream of the Railway Bridge and these should be completed in the next couple of months. The raising of the parapets on London Bridge and New Bridge will commence in March and should be completed in the second half of 2013.

It is planned to commence the next stage of major works up to Ballsbridge in the first half of 2013 subject to Part 8 planning approval being received by Dublin City Council. The Council must first adopt The Dodder Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan which is expected to go before the Council in early February. Based on this programme, it is estimated that expenditure on the various works will be in the region of €2 million in 2013. In relation to future works, it is estimated that the cost of the defence works to Donnybrook will be in the region of €10 million over the next 3-4 years, subject to the availability of funding in those years.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide funding for flood prevention measures to protect houses in Sneem from flooding from the Sneem River, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3289/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Following a preliminary assessment, it has been agreed with Kerry County Council that the OPW will carry out a Feasibility Study to assess options to address the flooding problem in Sneem separately from the South West CFRAM study. The collection of the data that is needed to calibrate the model and scheme design will commence shortly. Subject to the availability of adequate data, the Feasibility Study will commence before the end of this year.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he envisages the availability of funding in 2013 to finish the section of embankment works that was funded by his Department in 2012 at Cromane Lower, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3290/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works allocated funding to Kerry County Council of €100,000 under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in February, 2012 for embankment strengthening works at Cromane. The number of homes at risk from flooding, as identified by the Council at this location, would not justify the provision of further funding on cost-benefit grounds under the criteria for the Scheme.