Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is based on the question asked by the Deputy. In 2018, to establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State, namely, the catchment-based flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme. The programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect more than 95% of that risk. Some 150 additional flood relief schemes were identified through this programme. The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of these flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the national development plan to 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk.

Since 2018, a phased approach to scheme delivery, in partnership with local authorities, has allowed the OPW to treble the number of schemes at design or construction phase at this time to some 100 schemes. Expenditure in the earlier stages of a project represents a small proportion of the overall budget of a flood relief scheme. When schemes reach construction, known as stage 4 of the project, it is at this point in the project lifecycle that the scheme incurs the greatest proportion of expenditure. There is no legislative or regulatory means of fast-tracking schemes to this stage. In the years 2019 to 2023, some €290 million was invested by the OPW in the flood relief programme. To date in 2024, some €7.5 million has been spent. Expenditure trends in past years show that the majority of expenditure is incurred in the fourth quarter of the year and this trend is expected to continue in 2024. I have given a breakdown of the allocation expenditure. If we look at the past two years, the allocation in 2023 was €57.5 million and expenditure €59.2 million. In 2024 we have €82.7 million allocated and €7.5 million spent to date.

It is anticipated a strong pipeline of schemes will increase the number of projects reaching construction by the middle of the decade, thereby notably increasing the programme expenditure from 2025 to 2030. The OPW engages with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding the capital and current funding required under the national development plan and through the annual budgetary process to ensure adequate funding is available to continue to progress the programme of delivery of flood relief schemes.

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