Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

268. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding budgeted in 2015 for the Office of Public Works overall flood risk management programme; the amount of this that was budgeted for expenditure on capital flood relief works; the amount of the overall budget spent to 31 December 2015; the amount of this that was spent on expenditure on capital flood relief works; the budget for the OPW's overall flood risk management programme for 2016 and, separately, the budget for expenditure on capital flood relief works in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1048/16]

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

The information requested is shown in the table following:

Note 1. The amounts shown for this heading include provision for expenditure on capital flood relief works, on arterial drainage maintenance activities, the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, purchase of plant and machinery, hydrometric and hydrological investigation and monitoring and on the general administrative costs of operating the programme. Full details are provided in the Revised Estimates Volume 2015.

Note 2. The amounts shown for this heading provide for the preparation and design of flood relief schemes, the construction of flood relief works, the payment of compensation costs arising from these works and the carrying out of minor coastal or non-coastal works by Local Authorities with funding provided by the OPW under the Minor Works Scheme. It also provides for the carrying out of CFRAM studies. The 2015 figures also include an amount in respect of specific funding approved by Government for Local Authorities for the repair of coastal protection infrastructure damaged in the storms of winter 2014. The 2016 allocation includes a deferred surrender or capital carryover of €7m from the 2015 allocation.

Expenditure on the flood relief programme in 2015 was less than budgeted for due primarily to delays in the planned commencement of construction of certain capital projects. However, a significant element of the underspending in this or other years on the OPW's capital allocation is dealt with normally through the system of deferred surrender or capital carryover. This ensures that the funding is not lost to the flood capital investment programme.

I can assure the Deputy that the OPW has had and will continue to have sufficient funding available to it to meet its requirements for flood relief in any year. There is no issue in relation to underfunding of the flood relief programme.

The allocation of €52.561 million for capital flood relief measures in 2016 allows for the design, planning and construction of major flood relief schemes and the funding of minor works projects undertaken by local authorities. Major schemes in Waterford, Ennis and the river Wad in Dublin will be completed and schemes at Claregalway, Bandon, Skibbereen, Foynes and Templemore are expected to commence construction works in 2016. Another 21 schemes will continue to be advanced through design and planning stages.