The Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1995, gave the Commissioners of Public Works powers to undertake drainage schemes to alleviate localised flooding.
Since the passing of the 1995 Act seven flood relief schemes have been completed at the following locations: the Mulkear river, Newport, County Tipperary; Nanny river, Duleek, County Meath; Sixmilebridge, County Clare; Gort town, Bridge Street, County Galway; Lacken (Ardrahan), County Galway; Mulkear river, Cappamore, County Limerick and Maam Valley, County Galway.
In addition, four other flood relief schemes are currently at construction stage as follows: Bandon river, Dunmanway, County Cork; Suir river, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary; Nore river, Kilkenny city and Hazelhatch, County Kildare.
A number of other schemes are at various stages in the feasibility study or design process: Suir river, Clonmel; Barrow river, Carlow town; John's river, Waterford; Ennis, County Clare; Cregaclare and other locations in south Galway; Mallow and Fermoy, County Cork; Enniscorthy, County Wexford; Tolka river, counties Dublin and Meath.
The Office of Public Works is also funding schemes where the works are being carried out by the local authority: Freemount, County Cork; Drumcollogher, County Limerick; Bridgend, County Donegal; Scotch Quay, Waterford city; Kinvara, County Galway and Belhavel, County Leitrim.
Following the severe rainfall and consequential flooding in November 2000, additional demands for assistance have been received and the Office of Public Works is in accordance with many other local authorities about feasibility studies and schemes which the authorities wish to carry out.