16 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Finance when repairs will be carried out to sluices at locations (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that they are causing flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17389/96]

The sluices at Dysart and Ballycanauna are situated on embankments originally constructed by the Irish Land Commission. In many similar instances trust funds to be administered by the Land Commission were established out of which the cost of the subsequent maintenance of the structures was to be met. Such a fund exists in the Dysart case and the funds are to be made available to the Commissioners of Public Works, on an agency basis, to undertake the works required next summer.

In the case of the Ballycanauna sluice, the fund has been exhausted since 1962 and accordingly there are no immediate plans to undertake works at this location.