John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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12. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of flood alleviation projects that will be carried out by the Office of Public Works in 2013; the funding to be allocated to these projects; the way this compares to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24666/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Office of Public Works addresses flood risk under the following main programmes:

1. Major Capital Works Programme

2. Minor Works and Coastal Protection Scheme

3. National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme

4. Drainage Maintenance Programme

5. Hydrometric and Hydrological Programme

The total allocation included in the OPW's Vote in 2013 for these programmes is €61m, of which €45m is allocated for flood alleviation works projects, including the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme.

Some projects under the Major Capital Works Programme are delivered directly through the OPW's own resources while others are delivered by local authorities with funding and technical input from the OPW.

There are 9 projects at construction stage under this Programme at present. It is expected that another five schemes will commence construction before the end of 2013, subject to completion of procurement and other preparatory formalities and continued availability of funding. There are currently 26 other schemes at various stages of design and planning. The comparable position as regards Major Capital Works projects in the years 2010-2012 was as follows:

MAJOR WORKS SCHEMES

* Figures shown for 2013 represent the position at end-April while figures for other years show year-end position. Five schemes currently at Pre-construction stage are expected to progress to At Construction stage before end-2013.

Under the Minor Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, the OPW provides funding to local authorities for smaller scale, more localised flood mitigation measures they wish to undertake in their areas. It is open to any local authority to submit an application to the OPW for funding under the scheme. Each application will be assessed in accordance with the criteria now in place and having regard to the overall availability of financial resources for such works in 2013. The relevant local authority is responsible for the procurement, planning, detailed financial management and day-to-day implementation of all aspects of the projects approved under the Scheme. A summary of projects approved for funding by the OPW under this scheme each year since 2010 is as follows:

MINOR WORKS & COASTAL PROTECTION SCHEME

In addition to capital flood relief works, the OPW will continue in 2013 with a programme of Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management studies which will produce an integrated Flood Risk Management Plan setting out a prioritised set of measures to address flood problems in areas where there is significant risk in each major catchment in the country.

Under the ongoing arterial drainage maintenance programme, the OPW will also continue in 2013 to undertake maintenance of completed arterial drainage and flood relief schemes, which also contributes to reducing flood risk. The OPW will also continue to gather hydrometric data used to design flood defences. A total of €16m has been provided for these programmes in the OPW Vote in 2013.