Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 7

Written Answers. - Flood Relief Programme.

Joe Jacob

Question:

63 Mr. Jacob asked the Minister for Finance the current position in relation to the drafting of a national priority programme of areas to be considered for the execution of localised flood relief schemes; whether a report has been received from consultants appointed to advise the Commissioners of Public Works on the criteria to be used in determining the areas that should be included on the priority list and the relative weighting to be given to each of these criteria; if he will ensure that the consultants and all appropriate officials in his Department or the Office of Public Works are adequately briefed on the serious flooding damage which occurred in Baltinglass, County Wicklow, in recent years; if he will ensure that this damage and, the likelihood of a recurrence, are borne in mind when devising the priority list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12236/96]

Joe Jacob

Question:

64 Mr. Jacob asked the Minister for Finance the measures, if any, the Office of Public Works will take in the immediate future to remove the risk of flooding next winter from the River Slaney in Baltinglass, County Wicklow; whether these steps will provide a short-term solution or a permanent solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12237/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Coveney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.

The Commissioners of Public Works have been made aware by Wicklow County Council and by local elected representatives of the periodical flooding which occurred in recent years at the Parkmore estate, Baltinglass, County Wicklow, arising from the River Slaney.

This is one of the many areas around the country which suffer such periodical flooding and which have been specifically notified to the consultants recently commissioned to advise the commissioners on the criteria to be used and the relative weightings to be given to each of these in determining the areas that will be included on the priority list which will form the national flood relief programme. A preliminary report which will firm up on the criteria, etc. to be used is due from these consultants at the end of September 1996. Pending completion of the consultants' commission it will not be possible to give any indication if the flooding problems at Baltinglass, County Wicklow, might be included for early consideration in the priority list.

The current flood relief programme on which the resources of the Office of Public Works are being concentrated comprises consideration of schemes for Carlow, Cappamore-Newport, Duleek, Dunmanway, Gort, Kilkenny, Sixmilebridge and Williamstown, all of which suffer extensive periodical flooding and which are likely to absorb available resources for some time yet.

In view of the foregoing there are no immediate proposals to undertake any flood relief works in Baltinglass, County Wicklow, nor could there be without full investigation of all aspects of the problems there, which will be dependent on its place on the priority list to be drawn up.