Vol. 558 No. 4
187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a communication from Kildare County Council regarding the repeated flooding at Mill Lane, Leixlip, Straffan, Johnstown and Maynooth, with particular reference to the co-ordination of efforts including the provision of funding to alleviate same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24262/02]
No report has been received by the Office of Public Works from Kildare County Council in relation to flooding at Mill Lane, Leixlip.
Following receipt of reports earlier this year, the Office of Public Works agreed with the county council to carry out flood alleviation works on the Lyreen, Meadowbrook, and Morrell rivers.
The programme of works on the Lyreen and Meadowbrook rivers has been completed. Works to bridges on the Morrell river have been completed and work on embankments commenced. The remaining works have been suspended for the winter due to weather conditions and will be completed as early as possible in the new year.
188 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which areas of serious and repeated flooding have been identified throughout the country in both urban and rural settings; if he has liased with local authorities in respect of each such location with a view to putting in place remedial measures as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24269/02]
The Office of Public Works, Office of Public Works, does not maintain records of every flood event that occurs throughout the country but is in regular contact with local authorities in relation to significant flood events within their functional areas.
The Office of Public Works has completed a number of flood relief schemes throughout the country in recent years: Mulkear River at Cappamore, County Limerick and Newport, County Tipperary; Nanny River, County Meath; Sixmilebridge, County Clare; Gort, County Galway; Lackan (Ardrahan), County Galway; Maam Valley, County Galway; Hazelhatch, County Kildare; Dunmanway, County Cork; Belclare, County Galway; and Bridgend, County Donegal.
The Office of Public Works currently has two major flood relief schemes on site at Kilkenny City and Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary.
In addition there are a number of major schemes currently at various stages in the planning and design process: Clonmel, County Tipperary; Carlow Town; Waterford City; Cregaclare, County Galway; Ennis, County Clare; Enniscorthy, County Wexford; Tullow, County Carlow; Templemore, County Tipperary; Arklow, County Wicklow; Tolka River, Dublin and Meath; Mornington, County Meath; Mallow, County Cork; and Fermoy, County Cork.
As well as the above there are a number of small, localised flood alleviation works being undertaken by local authorities with funding from the Office of Public Works. These include: Scotch Quay, Waterford City; Freemount, County Cork; Belhavel, County Leitrim; Mullinahone, County Tipperary; Drumcolloher, County Limerick; Baltinglass, Aughrim, Avoca, County Wicklow; Kinvara, County Galway; and Lyreen, Meadowbrook and Morrell rivers, County Kildare.
On 27 November 2002, I announced that I was arranging for a major review of national flooding policy to be carried out. I am initiating this review to develop a cohesive national flooding policy that will deal with the growth and complexity of the flooding problem. The purpose of the review is to assess the extent of the problem countrywide, clarify roles and responsibilities of the various agencies involved and to recommend practical action to deal with flooding. The review will be carried out by a group representing the major stakeholders – the Office of Public Works, Departments of Finance and the Environment and Local Government, local authorities, IBEC, and the IFA. The review group will receive submissions from, and consult with, a further wide range of relevant bodies, which will include the Insurance Industry Federation.
189 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Finance if he will hold talks with representatives of the insurance companies regarding reports that persons in areas that have recently experienced flood damage may find their homes uninsurable; and if he will consider State assistance to ensure that such an eventuality does not arise. [24766/02]
I will shortly be meeting with the Irish Insurance Federation, IIF, to listen to its views and proposals on the problem of flooding in Ireland.
The Deputy will be aware that on 27 November 2002 I announced that I was arranging for a major review of national flooding policy to be carried out. I am initiating this review to develop a cohesive national flooding policy that will deal with the growth and complexity of the flooding problem. The purpose of the review is to assess the extent of the problem countrywide, clarify roles and responsibilities of the various agencies involved and to recommend practical action to deal with flooding. The review will be carried out by a group representing the major stakeholders – the Office of Public Works, Departments of Finance and the Environment and Local Government, local authorities, IBEC, and the IFA. The review group will receive submissions from, and consult with, a further wide range of relevant bodies, including the IIF.
