Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contingencies put in place to deal with increased water levels in rivers and waterways; the extra measures that have been established to deal with the upcoming winter months; the amount dedicated towards these contingencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40551/17]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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We have just come out of a very wet summer. Met Éireann figures show it was a wetter than average summer. There were the extraordinary events in Donegal, the debate on which Deputy McConalogue will be leading later, and I know the Acting Chairman, Deputy Eugene Murphy, visited Donegal as well. What plans has the Minister in place to deal with the potential flooding that may arise this winter, particularly given we are going into a winter with river levels much higher than they were this time last year?

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Responsibility for the overall management and co-ordination of the front-line response to flooding events rests with the local authorities, which work with other first responders such as the Garda and Civil Defence. I wish to acknowledge the staff of all those organisations who were on the ground dealing with the aftermath of the recent flooding in Donegal. I saw for myself the devastation that the communities experienced and commend them on their resilience and spirit. My sincere sympathy goes out to all those affected by the flooding, many of whom I met personally while in Donegal.

Regarding the wider issue of flood risk management, the Government has approved the interim report of the interdepartmental flood policy co-ordination group, which outlined the range of measures that are addressing Ireland's flood risk for this winter. The Government has invested €285 million in major flood defence schemes since 1995, which is providing protection to approximately 8,000 properties, with an estimated benefit to the country of damage avoided of more than €1 billion.

A further investment of €33 million in minor works since 2009 is protecting 6,000 properties across the country. Since the flooding of 2015, the Government has delivered a number of additional measures that are helping to manage flood risk for this winter. Significant investment in major and minor flood relief works is continuing, with expenditure of €69 million since the beginning of 2016 and with ten major schemes currently under construction and seven more expected to start in the next 12 months. A further 25 major schemes are at design and planning stage.

As the Deputy is aware, the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group is trialling the lowering of levels in Lough Allen to complement existing water level protocols in place for Lough Ree. The OPW and Mayo County Council are progressing an individual property protection pilot project in Crossmolina. This initiative will provide protection for up to 76 properties and, together with another pilot scheme in Kilkenny, will inform any future assistance by Government to homeowners for individual home flood mitigation.

The OPW’s proactive flood risk planning through the CFRAM programme in recent years is nearing completion. By the end of this year I would hope to publish the final flood risk management plans developed under the CFRAM process and to announce the proposed structural measures contained within those plans that will, over the coming years, be taken to detailed design stage in order to protect at-risk communities and properties.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. However, he could have given me that answer in June or July. I want to know what specific new initiatives he has taken to deal with the rainfall levels this summer and their potential impact on the flooding in those communities later this year. We had the extraordinary event in Donegal but that is now becoming less extraordinary and more the norm. While the response was eventually very comprehensive, it took some time to organise. Will the Minister give a guarantee to communities across the country that, in the event of there being a flooding emergency in their community this winter, the response will be immediate and there will not be delays?

The OPW has spoken of "one in 100-year" flooding events. Given what happened in Donegal and what happened in 2015 and 2016, are there plans to change how the impact of flooding events is measured?

The Minister of State mentioned Crossmolina. The scheme there is very welcome and I commend the OPW for using it. However, we do not want to see it used. Will the Minister of State give me an update on the long-term plan for Crossmolina?

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, I have travelled much of the country throughout the summer. I visited Donegal and saw first-hand what those people experienced and had to deal with. However, the question the Deputy asked is whether we are dealing with it, and the answer is that, yes, we are. Since 24 August we did not have one dry day up to the past two fine days. Within the system we have, it is very hard to manage the rainfall but, where we can, we are providing money for flood defences and minor works schemes for those communities. We are working particularly closely with the local authorities. We have not been found wanting. On Saturday last I visited the Deputy's area to attend a funeral and saw first-hand what is happening there. From dealing with the local authorities and talking to the engineers on the ground, I can assure the Deputy that everything that can be done is being done at this time. Yes, I would like to see a ramp-up of flood defences but, given what I have to spend, I want to spend wisely up to 2021. Other measures will come through CFRAM, hopefully by the end of this year, and we will be able to ensure the protection of the homes to which the Deputy referred.

With regard to Crossmolina, a meeting was held in my office last week and I will have a report on that in the not-too-distant future. Hopefully, it will be a positive one from the Deputy's point of view.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I had heard the Minister of State was around the area. It is the end of September and the level of the River Moy is what it should be at the end of November. While I do not need a response on that, it gives an indication of the potential challenges this year. The Minister of State has to ensure that a response is ready to go on the ground in the event of a repeat of what happened in 2015 or in Donegal earlier this year. I hope it does not happen. I hope we do not have to use any of those responses but, if we do, let us not come with the poor mouth or come crying afterwards. We can take action now.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Five or six years ago the flooding in the River Moy, the River Shannon and across the region was winter flooding. In recent times, however, we have seen downpours happening and nobody, not even anybody in government, could plan for what may come. However, what we can do is give assurances. We are working with local authorities and delivering for local communities. Through CFRAM and further measures that will be taken, we will deliver on schemes and protect those people. The local authority delivered a very fast response in Donegal and the criticism of its response was unfair. I met the first responders on the Tuesday and went with them to everywhere that was flooded. I assure the Deputy that everything that can be done is being done with the local authorities.