Money for flood areas not guaranteed

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has failed to provide guarantees that state and local authorities will get all the money they need to tackle flood-prone areas.

The matter was raised in the Dáil yesterday by Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy following the overnight flooding in Cork.

Mr Troy said it was crucial that sufficient budgets were in place to deal with the issue. He asked the minister to “confirm that resources will not be an issue” in tackling the flooding problems in the areas affected.

“These areas have been badly affected by the rain that fell overnight, and county councils and emergency services throughout the country are understaffed.”

But Mr Howlin noticeably failed to give any such assurances in response.

Instead, he focused on the amount the Government had already allocated for flood management schemes this year.

“Climate change is affecting our weather patterns. We are experiencing wetter summers, as was predicted, and we have just come through the wettest June on record.

“For this reason, the allocation through the OPW for flood amelioration schemes is €44.5m this year.

“Even though money was much more plentiful during the boom time, €23m was allocated in 2007 and €24m was allocated in 2008.

“We have significantly increased the quantum of money as well as getting better value for our expenditure due to reduced construction prices,” Mr Howlin said.

The Office of Public Works is the State’s lead agency in dealing with flooding, and undertakes major flood relief projects.

It also provides funding to local authorities for smaller-scale, more localised flood-relief measures.

Mr Howlin said the OPW kept its list of projects under “constant review” to ensure “we provide the best possible protection”.

But he said that, in addition to climate change, the State was also dealing with legacy issues from the building boom.