Results 41,681-41,700 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (20 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: We will certainly look at that matter. In terms of the underspend, I have been at pains not to be party political during this time. Anywhere I went I invited Oireachtas Members of all political hues to attend because I believe rain and floods are not party political issues. I am somewhat frustrated, at this stage, that there has been scaremongering about budgetary matters. Let us be very...

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (20 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: Does the Acting Chairman want me to conclude?

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (20 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: I will revert to the Senators on the other issues. I agree with the point made by Senator Whelan about the Garryhinch reservoir. He is right and I think it is an issue that should be considered. It will probably fall to the next Government to consider same. Briefly, Senator Healy Eames mentioned planting which is a valid issue. We need to look at all of these suggestions. All of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (20 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme currently being undertaken Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders. The 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) were determined under the Preliminary Flood Risk...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (20 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: Online Booking services are scheduled to be introduced at Kilmainham Gaol during March, 2016.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (20 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: As part of An Garda Síochána's policing plans in 2012 and 2013, 139 Garda stations were closed. 15 of these former Garda stations have been assigned or are in the process of being assigned, under licence, for community use as identified in the following table. 10 are being retained or are under consideration for State use as detailed in the table below. Community Use No. County...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: Let there be no doubt that there is a national plan and a national organisation called the OPW which is charged with implementing flood relief plans. It is the competent single authority responsible for delivering plans. There is money available, too. We will spend €430 million on flood defences. More will be spent in the next five years than has been spent in the past 20. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for his question, which comes in a period of significant difficulty for many throughout the country after a number of bad weather events. There is already in place a national authority for flood risk management. The Office of Public Works, OPW, is the lead State body for the co-ordination and implementation of Government policy on the management of flood risk in Ireland....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: It is not a question of whether we need to establish a statutory authority because we have one in place. The Deputy's party set it up when in government, when the European Communities (Assessment and Management of Flood Risks) Regulations 2010 were introduced under Statutory Instrument No. 122 of 2010 which had been transposed into Irish law. Under the regulations the Commissioners of Public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The Government has allocated €80.746 m in 2016 for the Office of Public Works (OPW) overall Flood Risk Management Programme of which €52.561m is for the continued implementation of the OPW's comprehensive programme of capital flood relief works. There are currently five major schemes at construction in Bray, Co Wicklow, River Dodder, Dublin, South Campshires, Dublin, Ennis...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The Government last year announced details of a €430 million 6 year programme of capital investment on flood risk management and mitigation measures as part of the Government's overall Capital Investment Plan 2016 – 2021. The flood protection capital programme 2016 – 2021 will build on the very significant investment that has already been undertaken in flood relief works...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The provision of €430 million funding for flood risk management has already been made by the Government and was announced in the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2016 – 2021published in September 2015. This funding is being made available to the Office of Public Works (OPW) through the annual Estimates process and allows for a graduated increase in the annual capital...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, which is implementing the 2007 EU Floods Directive requirements, is completing detailed assessment of 300 areas at potentially significant risk from flooding. The Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the Local Authorities, involves the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is reviewing the feasibility study report prepared by the engineering consultants engaged by Clare County Council to examine the flooding issues at the location mentioned. The OPW will be responding to the Council as soon as possible once it has completed a full review of the feasibility study report.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that they are in the process of disposing of the State’s interest in the former Garda station at Lauragh, Co. Kerry at present.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme is at design stage with the outline design expected to be completed in the next few months. At the same time, an Environmental Impact Statement will be completed. It is expected that this will allow the holding of a formal public exhibition in mid 2016 following which work on the detailed design will be progressed with the aim of enabling the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The Government announced two pilot Individual Property Protection (IPP) projects on 5January 2015. These are community based pilots to inform the mechanism to deliver IPP, as part of a community based approach or scheme and also the potential costs and benefits attached to IPP for areas where a flood defence scheme is not likely to be completed for some time. Mayo County Council is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The unprecedented rainfall in December led to extensive flooding across the country including in Co. Wexford. A flood relief scheme is being progressed by Wexford County Council for Enniscorthy. The River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Flood Relief Scheme was publicly exhibited in 2009 but due to significant local opposition did not proceed to Confirmation stage at that point. Taking on board...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme throughout the country. The Programme involves an assessment of 300 locations nationwide including 90 coastal locations, the mapping of potentially significant flood risk areas and the production of flood risk management options and plans. These draft Flood Risk...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Applications (19 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: An application for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a project at Bachelor’s Walk, Ballina, Co. Mayo was received within the last two weeks and is currently being assessed.