Written answers

Wednesday, 8 July 2015

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Prevention Measures

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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76. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware that a school (details supplied) and playing fields in County Limerick are threatened by erosion caused by the River Galey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27829/15]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Matters concerning river bank erosion do not fall within the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The area in question is not within an Arterial Drainage Scheme maintainable by OPW. Responsibility for the maintenance of the river banks would rest with the land owners concerned.

It is open to Limerick City and County Council to investigate the river bank erosion issue. If a risk of flooding has arisen due to this issue, it is open to the Council to apply to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake flood protection measures. Any application received would be assessed under the eligibility criteria of the Scheme, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. The local authority may also carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.

A national programme of CFRAM Studies, which is being carried out by several engineering consultancies over six regions on behalf of OPW, is focused on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs). The designated AFAs were selected following the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) phase in 2011. Arising from the PFRA, Athea has been designated as one of the AFAs and is being assessed under the Shannon CFRAM Study which OPW is currently undertaking in partnership with the relevant local authorities, including Limerick City and County Council.

Under the Study, draft predictive flood mapping has been produced for Athea. A Public Consultation Day on the draft flood maps was held in Athea on 25 September, 2014. The draft flood maps are currently available for inspection on the Shannon CFRAM Study website www.shannoncframstudy.ie. A national consultation process on the draft flood mapping for the 300 AFAs is scheduled to take place in the autumn. Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the assessment of appropriate flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risk identified. The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences.

Photo of Anne FerrisAnne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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77. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the full programme of works for the River Dargle flood prevention works in Bray in County Wicklow, up to and including the date of substantial completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27853/15]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme in Bray County Wicklow is being undertaken by Wicklow County Council (WCC) as the Contracting Authority with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). Management of the scheme, including the agreement of a Works Programme with the various contractors, rests with WCC.

In general terms WCC advise that good progress is being made with the works which are currently ongoing in five separate locations along the River Dargle, namely Seapoint Court; Bray Bridge to west of Maltings Estate; Ravenswell Road; Coburg to People’s Park; Glenwood to Killarney Glen.

WCC has stated that works (including instream works) will be progressed in these areas throughout the summer and autumn this year, as agreed with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), with "out of river" works continuing throughout the winter months, weather permitting. Instream works will resume in May 2016 in accordance with the requirements of IFI. While the works have been progressing satisfactorily a significant amount of work remains to be carried out for the rest of this year and in 2016. The time-frame for substantial completion is dependent on factors including weather and ground conditions on site. It is envisaged that substantial completion will be achieved by end 2016.

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