Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 97: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on a national strategy on coastal flooding which would include the views of local residents. [31981/11]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) was commenced in 2003 by the then Department of Marine & Natural Resources. The ICPSS established a more strategic framework for detailed mapping and analysis of the Irish coastline. The phases set out in the ICPSS to progress that analysis are now substantially complete.

Assessment and management of coastal flood risk, as identified by the ICPSS, is now incorporated in the strategic provisions of the National Flood Policy, as established after Government approval of the 2004 Report of the Flood Policy Review Group and aligned with the requirements of the 2007 EU Floods Directive. The principal vehicle for implementation of the Floods Directive is the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Studies Programme.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is designed to identify and assess areas, both coastal and inland, at risk of significant flooding.

The purpose of the Programme is to:

· produce detailed flood mapping in order to identify and map the existing and potential future flood hazard and risk areas.

· Build the strategic information base necessary for making informed decisions in relation to managing flood risk.

· Identify viable structural and non-structural measures and options for managing the flood risks for localised high-risk areas both coastal and inland.

There are three main stages in the Programme and a suite of documents is produced for public consultation at each stage:

· 2011 - Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (The public consultation stage of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment was concluded on 01 November 2011)

· 2013 - Flood Hazard Mapping

· 2015 - Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 98: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the management of severe weather events in Ireland and related matters, July 2010, have been implemented by the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32181/11]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The report referred to by the Deputy contained six recommendations, numbers 11 to 16, in relation to the Office of Public Works. Substantial progress has already been made in relation to all of the recommendations as follows:

Recommendation no. 11: The OPW's funding for flood risk management should be substantially and strategically increased to reflect levels of flood risk now known to exist in several major river catchments. The OPW should commence and if possible accelerate the implementation of the Lee CFRAMS, commence the Shannon CFRAMS and those of other major river systems;

A total of €234.5m has been spent by the OPW in the years 2006-2010 on flood risk management activities, with another €54m approximately expected to be spent this year. During this period OPW has been able to undertake construction works on 13 major flood relief schemes. Another 17 schemes have been progressed through various stages of design and planning, on which it is hoped to undertake construction works in the period up to 2014, subject to the availability of finances. These schemes will mitigate substantially the known risk of flooding at the locations in question.

OPW has commenced a Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study Programme which will provide the foundation for future flood risk management in line with national flood policy and the requirements of the EU Flood Directive. Consultants have already been commissioned to undertake studies for four of the River Basin Districts, including the Shannon system, and the studies for the remaining two RBDs will be commissioned before the end of the year. The pilot CFRAM study for the Lee catchment has been substantially completed. The CFRAM studies will produce a plan of prioritised structural and non-structural measures to address flood risk in each catchment. The plans will be completed by the 2015 deadline set out in the Floods Directive. These Plans will inform the assessment of the funding needed to address effectively flood risk in a proactive and comprehensive way over coming years.

Recommendation no. 12: The OPW should approve and fund all urgent minor flood relief measures identified by local authorities pending the completion of detailed flood risk assessment and management strategies except where there may be legal or other unavoidable reasons for not doing so;

Total funding of €22.5m has so far been approved by the OPW to local authorities under the Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works Scheme, which commenced in 2009, to enable them to undertake localised flood relief work and studies.

OPW is continuing to receive applications for funding from local authorities under this scheme and these are being assessed under the relevant economic and environmental criteria having regard to the overall funding available.

Recommendation no. 13: The OPW should determine and prepare a national strategy for river drainage and maintenance measures to manage flood risk, and allocate sufficient resources to, and begin, its implementation in conjunction with the local authorities;

As mentioned above, OPW's CFRAM Programme will produce a prioritised plan of measures to address flood risk in each catchment in the country. Each study will examine a range of possible measures, including drainage of channels where appropriate. The recommendations of the studies will provide the basis for developing a comprehensive flood risk management strategy and identifying the resources required to implement it, in partnership with local authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

Recommendation no. 14: The OPW should actively engage with and support local authorities in the preparation of detailed flood risk assessment under the major emergency planning framework;

OPW's CFRAM Programme, which will provide the blueprint for dealing with fluvial and coastal flooding countrywide, is being implemented in close co-operation with local authorities. OPW already participates and will continue to participate actively in national emergency planning with other relevant state bodies.

Recommendation no. 15: Appropriate flood early warning systems should be put in place by the OPW on all major river systems or parts thereof where a substantial ongoing flood risk in known to exist. Providing some degree of early warning system in such places should not need to await the detailed studies planned under the CFRAMS process;

OPW commissioned consultants to carry out a detailed review of options for Flood Forecasting and Flood Warning in Ireland. The consultants' report has been received and OPW will shortly be consulting with the stakeholders in relation to its recommendations.

Recommendation no. 16: The OPW should update its flood mapping work to reflect localised risks and flooding events that took place in November 2009, and ensure such information is disseminated to and understood by relevant agencies;

All confirmed data supplied/sourced by OPW has been made available via the flooding mapping website www.floodmaps.ie. This website is available to all local authorities. OPW is continuing to liaise with stakeholders, including local authorities in respect of any data that they make available to us.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 99: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the budget allocated to the Office of Public Works for flood risk assessment and management measures in each of the years 2006 to 2011, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32182/11]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The table sets out the investment by the Office of Public Works (OPW) since 2006 on flood relief activities. A total of €234.5M has been invested in the years 2006-2010 with another €54M approximately expected to be spent this year.

(* Expenditure to 27th October 2011)

During this period OPW has been able to undertake construction works on 13 major flood relief schemes. Another 17 schemes have been progressed through various stages of design and planning, on which it is hoped to undertake construction works in the period up to 2014, subject to the availability of resources.

A significant amount of the allocation has been and will continue to be spent on the Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works Scheme where OPW are providing funding to local authorities to undertake localised flood relief work and studies themselves.

OPW has also commenced the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study Programme during this period and each of the studies will produce both structural and non-structural recommendations.

OPW has also spent approximately €100m in the period in question under the ongoing Drainage Maintenance and Hydrometric Programmes.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 100: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works that have been undertaken in improving flood defences at a location (details supplied); if he will detail any outstanding works yet to commence; if he will give further details and a timeframe for these works; the level of ongoing contact between the Office of Public Works and the relevant local authorities on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32183/11]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Office of Public Works is currently involved in a number of initiatives to alleviate flooding in County Wicklow.

Bray Town Council, with financial support from the Office of Public Works has designed a flood relief scheme for Bray town. The Council has also brought it through the planning stage and has completed a procurement process for a civil works contractor. A decision on the progress of this scheme will depend on the outcome of the current review of Capital Expenditure being conducted by the Government.

OPW, in partnership with Arklow Town Council is also undertaking a feasibility Study to identify possible mitigation measures for the town. It is not possible at this point to give a timescale for the implementation of any viable mitigation measures that the study may identify.

In addition to the above initiatives, the Office of Public Works has provided total funding of €935,000 to Wicklow County Council through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for eight projects to alleviate flooding in the county. Details of the projects funded under the Scheme are set out in the table below.

The Scheme was introduced in 2009 to provide funds to Local Authorities to undertake minor mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. Funding applications are assessed by the OPW, in consultation, as necessary, with the relevant personnel in Wicklow County Council. This assessment has regard to specific economic, social and environmental criteria and the overall availability of resources. The commencement and progression of projects funded under the Scheme are a matter for Wicklow County Council.

As part of the ongoing National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment Programme, the OPW appointed consultants earlier this year to undertake studies of the Eastern and South Eastern River Basin Districts, which cover Co. Wicklow. These studies will identify and examine in detail the causes of flooding throughout the catchments and produce an integrated plan of specific measures to address the significant flood risk factors in a proactive and comprehensive way.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the person that has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the lower Shannon in the region of Springfield, Clonlara, County Clare which has experienced serious flooding in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32213/11]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the responsibility of the Office of Public Works regarding the upkeep and maintenance of the lower Shannon in the region of Springfield, Clonlara, County Clare which has experienced serious flooding in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32277/11]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Office of Public Works (OPW), having secured National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) consents, undertook works to the stretch concerned, which were completed in early 2010, in order to provide immediate flood relief to the area. In the event of further essential viable works being necessary, the OPW would consider carrying these out subject to the requirements of the NPWS.

The consideration of flooding matters within the Shannon catchment is being addressed through the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study, which commenced earlier this year. This study will identify and examine in detail the causes of flooding throughout the Shannon catchment, and produce an integrated plan of specific measures to address the significant flood risk factors in a pro-active and comprehensive way. The flood risk management plan for the Shannon catchment will take account of economic, social and environmental factors and will include a range of structural and non-structural measures such as the construction of flood defences, dredging, increased conveyance capacity, the management of water levels and early warning systems. Responsibility for the various measures in the plan will be clearly outlined.