Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It concerns a part of the country that I am familiar with, having holidayed there again this year. My family and I love that part of Ireland and once the restrictions were lifted, we were lucky enough to get to that beautiful part of county Cork. I want to offer our sympathies to all of the families and businesses that were affected by the flooding in county Cork. It is something that I experienced in Kilkenny, when it used to flood before the flood scheme was implemented there. Certainly, I know from standing in homes and business when the floodwater is there, that it is a really devastating, disheartening, difficult and challenging time for people when there is persistent flooding, as seems to be happening in this case.

My Department undertakes the lead Department role, as set out in the strategic emergency management, SEM, framework of 2017, in relation to co-ordination of national level response to flooding emergencies, where warranted. This includes preparation of review reports into the response to flooding emergencies where national level co-ordination is activated, including the Review Report on Severe Weather Events 2017-2018, which is available to access on my Department's website.It is available to access on the website of my Department. The report was considered by the Government task force for emergency management and published by my Department in December 2019. The Department has implemented the recommendations relating to the local government sector. Inter-agency recommendations are progressed via the Government task force.

It should be noted that local authorities are designated as lead agencies for co-ordinating the local response to flooding emergencies, as per the Government decision in 2006 relating to the framework for emergency management. My Department seeks to support local authorities by requesting additional funding for exceptional costs incurred in the immediate response to severe weather events such as those experienced in County Cork in recent months. Such eligible costs relate to the response, clean-up and necessary immediate works associated with the event only, including the hire of plant and contractors necessary for immediate works, the purchase of materials required for response and clean-up and any staff overtime payments relating to an immediate clean-up. Capital costs associated with infrastructural damage, flood defence works or cost planned works are not eligible.

It should be noted that the OPW has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of a national flood risk policy approved in 2004. This policy involves the development of a planned programme of prioritised feasible works, with a greater emphasis on non-structural measures. We cannot discount the fact that the impact of climate change is now manifesting in these extreme weather events, such as extreme flooding, and rainfall patterns. The overarching objective of the Government is to try to tackle that and it should be recognised. The OPW is delivering a multi-annual programme of capital investment in flood relief measures, including major and minor works schemes now planned for future measures in areas of significant flood risk. I take on board the specific point raised by the Senator regarding the immediate challenge around the road infrastructure and secondary roads in the region. I will take the case back to the Department.