Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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56. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the progress of Clanmoyle flood alleviation scheme phase two; if funding is in place to complete Clanmoyle flood alleviation scheme phase (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38645/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A study completed in 2010 by consultants commissioned by Dublin City Council recommended that flooding caused by the River Wad should be addressed in three phases, with a total estimated cost of approximately €20m. The Council agreed with the Office of Public Works (OPW) that the initial focus would be on Phase 1, which would address flooding in the vicinity of Clanmoyle Estate. These works are being funded by the OPW and are being undertaken by OPW direct labour. The works should be completed in the coming weeks, with the exception of some mechanical and electrical works relating to a pump station in the Clanmoyle area, which will run into early 2015.

Dublin City Council has indicated there are further elements of Phase 1 which will be undertaken by the Council shortly, including works in the Howth Road, Collins Avenue East, and Clontarf Road areas, which will take approximately 12 months to complete. The progression of these works is a matter for the Council.

While informal discussions have taken place regarding funding for the remaining phases recommended by the consultants' study, Dublin City Council has not as yet made a formal application for funding in respect of these to the OPW. When an application is made, it will be considered having regard to OPW's overall availability of funding for flood risk management.

Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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57. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flooding alleviation projects to be carried out in Ballylongford, County Kerry, in view of the flooding that has taken place over the past number of winters. [38648/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is a matter for Kerry County Council, in the first instance, to investigate and address flooding issues in the County. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has no flood defence assets in Ballylongford and, therefore, has no direct responsibility for maintaining or improving existing flood defences. However, Ballylongford was identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment as an area where the flood risk was potentially significant. It is therefore designated as an area for which detailed analysis is being carried out under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study, which OPW is currently undertaking in partnership with the relevant local authorities including Kerry County Council. The engineering consultancy company Jacobs Engineering has been commissioned to carry out the work on behalf of the OPW.

The analysis under the CFRAM project will enable flood maps to be produced in 2014 and the identification of flood risk management options for this area in 2015. There will be public consultation on the draft flood maps within the next couple of months and this will be advertised locally.

Following the significant flood events earlier this year, Jacobs were on site at Ballylongford collecting data on flood extents, levels and flood mechanism etc. This information will contribute to calibrating any flood modelling being produced for the town and thus ensuring any future mitigating measures proposed are robust and effective.

On a recent visit to Ballylongford, I met with local residents, Councillors and County Council officials and had the opportunity to see the flood prone areas and hear of the problems at first hand. At that meeting Kerry County Council indicated that it would be making a submission shortly to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake some interim flood protection measures that could be carried out pending the completion of the CFRAM process. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria of the Scheme, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. It is also open to local authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using their own resources.