Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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558. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review the amount of capital funding allocated to the Office of Public Works in 2016 and redirect some of this to the maintenance budget, which is drastically insufficient; if he will approach this issue with a prevention is better than cure mentality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13119/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring in his question to the maintenance budget for flood risk management. The total Capital allocation on the 2016 Vote of the Office of Public Works (OPW) is €133.9m of which €51.1m is allocated for the Flood Risk Management area. This allows primarily for costs related to the design, planning and construction of major flood relief schemes and the funding of minor flood relief and coastal erosion works undertaken by local authorities. Provision is also included for the progression of certain strategic studies and programmes including the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) programme, Flood Studies Update and Flood Risk Data Management. There are almost 40 major schemes currently at various stage of advancement and it is hoped to commence construction on up to eight major schemes this year. It is therefore envisaged that the full allocation under the Capital Programme will be expended in the current year.

The OPW has responsibility for maintenance of works completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts (1945 & 1995). The OPW maintenance programme and funding nationally, including the South West, is fully committed for 2016 in any event. However, the OPW continuously monitors the projected outturn on each of the Subheads of expenditure on the OPW Vote. In the event of possible savings or excesses the OPW may apply to the Department of PER to vire funding between Programmes or Subheads.