Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Measures to alleviate flooding are generally the responsibility of the Office of Public Works, which is the lead agency for flood risk management and funds a capital and maintenance programme for major and minor flood relief schemes in known areas at risk.

The Department's multi-annual water services investment programme funds the provision of water services infrastructure to address specific environmental, public health and economic needs. While the programme includes the upgrade and expansion of sewerage networks, storm water drainage is only funded where it is the most economic means of providing increased foul drainage capacity in combined sewer systems, enabling storm water to be diverted from the combined system. It is to this limited extent only that sewerage schemes provide flood relief measures. No funding is available from the water services investment programme for specific separate storm water drainage, flood prevention or relief works. It is possible in some instances to combine the procurement and delivery of works being funded for such purposes by the OPW with schemes being advanced by local authorities under the water services investment programme. I am sure the Deputy is aware of some of these cases.

The Department, in partnership with the OPW, published guidelines for planning authorities on the planning system and flood risk management in November 2009, with the aim of ensuring a more consistent, rigorous and systematic approach to flood risk identification, assessment and management within the planning system. These statutory guidelines provide the basis for planning authorities to identify, assess and take appropriate steps to manage flood risk in a sustainable manner.

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