172 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Finance if compensation will be given to families in the Burncourt, South Tipperary, area who suffered serious financial loss as a result of freak flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15210/00]

The Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, empower the Commissioners of Public Works to undertake flood relief schemes for the purpose of preventing or reducing localised flooding where it occurs periodically. The commissioners' authority to expend funds for drainage/flood relief works is limited to and associated with the execution of the flood relief schemes. They have no other financing facility at present through which funding might be made available for the payment of compensation to victims of flooding.

173 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the measures which have been put in place to address the damage caused to householders in Limerick by flooding of the Shannon and Abbey rivers during the Christmas period of 1999-2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15211/00]

I am making arrangements, through the Irish Red Cross Society, for the payment of financial assistance to those Limerick residents affected by the flooding of the Abbey River in the Athlunkard Street/Sir Harry's Mall area of the city over the last Christmas/New Year period. The Oireachtas will be asked to vote the necessary funds to the Vote of the Office of Public Works. Meanwhile, the Office of Public Works has been in consultation with officials from Limerick Corporation regarding a study of the causes of the flooding and are currently awaiting proposals from the corporation as to how they might progress the situation.