Liam Aylward
Question:46 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the grant-aid, if any, which is available from his Department to prevent flooding (details supplied); and the advice, if any, he can offer to the farmers concerned. [17085/95]
Written Answers. - Flood Prevention.
Liam Aylward
Question:48 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the provisions, if any, that are available from the Office of Public Works to prevent flooding from a public river (details supplied) in County Kilkenny which is constantly destroying the lands of local farmers. [17094/95]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 46 and 48 together.
The Commissioners of Public Works are empowered by the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1995, to carry out drainage schemes for the alleviation of localised flooding.
Nine priority areas for the execution of flood relief works were identified by the Commissioners of Public Works earlier this year. One small scheme at Belclare in County Galway has been completed. Design work on the other eight schemes, one of which is for Kilkenny City, is in progress.
There are no proposals at present to undertake works at Ballybrazil/ Nicholastown and other areas at Mooncoin in County Kilkenny. The possibility of undertaking a flood relief scheme to protect these areas on the River Suir, under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 as amended by the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1995 will fall to be considered in the context of the national priority programme of flood relief works which the Commissioners propose to prepare.
The Commissioners of Public Works do not have the authority or the resources to provide either grant assistance or advice to the farmers concerned regarding the alleviation of the flooding.