Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 5

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

Ulick Burke

Question:

211 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding his plan for flood alleviation in South Galway; the amount of the £2.5 million provided two years ago which has been spent; the amount of work that has been carried out; and if he will provide a work schedule for this scheme. [23374/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen):

In the budget for the year 2000 a sum of £2.5 million was provided for special works to alleviate the effects of flooding in south Galway. I established a steering group in January 2000 to bring forward proposals for the most efficient usage of those funds. The group comprises representatives from the Irish Farmers Association, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Galway County Council and the Office of Public Works. The group has been examining the feasibility of a number of schemes for the following areas – Cregaclare, Mannin Cross, Kilchreest, Termon, Kiltiernan-Ballinderreen and a number of culvert sites in the Kinvara area. The group has met on six occasions to date. The scheme at the most advanced stage of preparation is that for Cregaclare. Documentation for public exhibition of the scheme is nearing completion and further information on cost benefit is also being prepared.

The proposed schemes for Mannin Cross, Kilchreest and Termon all involve transferring large volumes of water adjoining river catchments and accordingly require complex investigation and assessment in order to determine downstream impacts. These areas are being monitored on an ongoing basis by consultants and final project reports on feasibility are awaited. Pending the outcome of these investigations into the feasibility of the schemes, it is not possible to give any commitment to work programmes or definitive timescales for them.

The scheme at Kiltiernan-Ballinderreen involves significant environmental issues. There is also an existing privately executed scheme there. These private works and the surrounding area have been surveyed by Office of Public Works and are currently the subject of ongoing review in the Office of Public Works in consultation with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. In relation to the two culvert sites in the Kinvara area which were identified for possible works in the south Galway flood report, Office of Public Works has instructed Galway County Council to proceed with the works up to a total of approximately £200,000, the costs to be recouped from the Office of Public Works.

To date, approximately £262,000 of the £2.5 million allocated to south Galway flood relief works has been committed. This is made up of £62,000 in respect of consultants' studies and reports and £200,000 to Galway County Council in respect of the carrying out of culvert works in the Kinvara area.

Tom Enright

Question:

212 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding maintenance work on the Silver River which runs through counties Laois and Offaly; whether operations have resumed on maintenance work on this river which was suspended as a precaution against the foot and mouth disease; if the maintenance work programme at the Office of Public Works has recommenced; and if so, when it recommenced. [23423/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen):

The 2001 drainage maintenance programme of the Office of Public Works recommenced in May following the lifting of the restrictions imposed as part of the precautions against the spread of foot and mouth disease.

Maintenance work which was scheduled to have been carried out on the Silver River were deferred following consultation with the regional fisheries board, in order to minimise the impact of the work on the salmonid spawning season.

Channel maintenance on the Silver River has, therefore, had to be deferred and will commence in April 2002.