Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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656. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount allocated to flood relief measures in budgets 2015 and 2016; the amount which was spent in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19379/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The information requested is shown in the table and relates to the allocations for capital investment on flood risk management in the Vote of the Office of Public Works:

Expenditure on the flood relief programme in 2015 was less than budgeted for due primarily to delays in the planned commencement of construction of certain capital projects. These delays were due to a variety of factors affecting the finalisation of the detailed design and tender documentation for the projects and delays in the procurement process. Underspending in this or other years on the OPW's capital allocation is dealt with normally through the system of deferred surrender or capital carryover which allows underspending in the allocation in one year to be carried forward into the following year.

I am fully satisfied that the OPW has had and will continue to have sufficient funding available to it to meet its requirements for flood relief in any year. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has committed to spending €430 million on the Capital side of the Flood Risk Management area between 2016-2021 which will mean annual expenditure doubling from current levels to €100 million by the year 2021.

This increased allocation will allow sufficient funding for the implementation of major projects in the current flood relief capital programme and proposed projects arising from the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Plans, which are soon to be finalised.