Mary O'Rourke
Question:56 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance when the Office of Public Works will carry out the necessary remedial work on the land of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath which is flooded. [6659/95]
Written Answers. - Westmeath Land Remedial Works.
This land is situated within the Brosna catchment drainage scheme which was completed in 1955, giving benefit to an area of approximately 86,200 acres. The Office of Public Works maintains the scheme on an ongoing basis. The scheme was designed to reduce the frequency and duration of flooding but cannot guarantee total immunity.
A scheduled channel of the scheme overflowed in February 1995 and caused some flooding to the area in question. This was due to abnormally heavy rainfall resulting in high water levels in excess of the design capacity of the channel. At present, the Office of Public Works is investigating the possibility of works to prevent a recurrence.