Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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63. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the funding available for flood relief relating to the recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1831/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 throughout the country over the last 20 years.

This funding will allow the Office of Public Works (OPW) to continue with the implementation of its current comprehensive programme of flood relief Capital Works which includes projects at various stages of design, planning and construction. Within the €430 million funding envelope, the OPW's allocation for capital flood relief works in 2016 is €52.561m. Separate to this capital allocation another €15.3m in non-capital funding has been allocated to the OPW in 2016 for its ongoing arterial drainage maintenance works programme. There are currently five major flood defence schemes at construction with a further 26 at design and planning.

The funding will also enable the OPW continue its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme which allows local authorities to submit applications for funding to OPW for localised projects costing under €0.5m and which meet required criteria including minimum cost benefit standards. Over 500 projects have been approved by OPW since the scheme came into operation in 2009 with funding of approximately €29m being provided.

The OPW's flood relief funding allocation will also allow it to continue with its essential hydrometric data gathering and analysis work and other important research and studies in hydrology, coastal and other flood related matters.

The significant funding made available by the Government in its Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 will also allow the OPW continue to plan for the future flood risk management needs of the country through its comprehensive Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Under that Programme the OPW will publish by mid 2016 draft Flood Risk Management Plans for areas across the country that are at significant risk of flooding from rivers and tides. Most of the areas that flooded during the recent severe rainfall events will be covered under the CFRAM Plans. Following public consultation, the CFRAM Plans will be finalised by end 2016. The Plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner which OPW will seek to implement over a 10 year timeframe.