The Office of Public Works (OPW) underspent €25 million of its flood relief allocation in 2008 even though a major flood assessment report for Cork was well underway, the Cork Independent can reveal. Figures from the OPW for 2008 reveal the department was allocated €50 million for flood relief, of which €24.879 million was spent, leaving a further €25.121 unspent. In 2009, €43 million was allocated with €36.5 million of it spent, while a further €50 million has been made available this year.

The Lee Catchment and Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (CFRAMS) began in 2006 and was released for public consultation this week.

On Tuesday Minister of State at the OPW Martin Mansergh said the €100 million needed for a flood defence system for Cork would not be made available due to cuts in public funding.

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Cork TD Bernard Allen will question the secretary-general of the OPW, Kieran Coughlan, today (Thursday) when he appears before the committee. "I plan to ask him how his Department failed to spend over half its allocation for flood relief in 2008 when the flood report was already in the pipeline," Deputy Allen told the Cork Independent.

"That money would have gone a long way to helping the flood defences in Cork which are in dire need of investment. The CFRAMS report was not done overnight and they must have been aware of the kind of money needed to protect Cork," he said.

Minister Mansergh expressed his disappointment at the response of Deputy Allen to the report. "I am disappointed at the precipitate response of Deputy Bernard Allen, before he had time to study fully, let alone reflect on, the report for the entire Lee Catchment Area. Its preparation involved four years' painstaking work, which will be of great benefit to Cork City and County for many years ahead," he said.

"The Report outlines an extensive programme of flood defence works, both in the short-term and over the next 12 years. Cork has two large and so far successful schemes underway in Fermoy and Mallow, it already absorbs a good share of the available funds nationally. Public funding is tight in relation to all the needs in this area," said Minister Mansergh.