Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The voluntary homeowners relocation scheme was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the serious flooding of those properties that flooded in the winter of 2015 and 2016, including those properties flooded by turloughs. To be eligible for assistance under this one-off scheme, a homeowner had to meet a number of conditions, including that floodwater entered and damaged the building during or as a result of flooding during relevant dates such as to render it uninhabitable and that there was no viable engineering solution that could protect the property from future flooding.

Under this national scheme, 174potentially eligible properties were identified to the OPW in two ways, those being, by the local authorities or through direct expressions of interest from homeowners. At all times, participation in the scheme has been voluntary for homeowners. Through follow-up meetings with the homeowners and both desk-based and engineering assessments, approximately half of those homeowners either were not interested in engaging with the scheme or did not meet the scheme's criteria.

Some homeowners identified as being potentially eligible will benefit from engineering solutions that will protect their homes from future flooding. The OPW and local authorities have identified 33homeowners who would otherwise be eligible for relocation who will benefit from inclusion in planned flood relief schemes and minor works projects. In addition to these projects, an important element of the administrative arrangements of the relocation scheme was the establishment of a unique and one-off scheme of remedial works for identified engineering solutions for eligible homes for which there was no other funding source. To date, remedial works have been identified to protect 19 homes from future flooding and work is continuing to explore possible engineering solutions for a further three homes.

Where an engineering solution is not feasible based on best available information at the time of each decision, the OPW offers financial assistance towards relocation to a replacement dwelling - equivalent to the cost to the relevant local authority - on a like-for-like basis. To date,29homeowners have received formal offers of financial assistance for relocation, with a further two applications being considered. Thirteen homeowners have now completed the process at a cost of €3.22 million, which has enabled them to relocate and purchase or build replacement dwelling houses under the scheme.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

To reopen the scheme as proposed by the Deputy would require Government approval and there are no plans at present in this regard.

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