Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

128. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which procedures are in hand or measures in place or pending to address the issues of flooding that have recurred at various locations over the past number of years; when the most acutely affected areas will benefit from remedial works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7214/16]

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

Excluding OPW Arterial Drainage Schemes (schemes which are the responsibility of the OPW) local flooding issues are, in the first instance, a matter for each local authority to investigate and address. They may carry out flood alleviation works from their own resources or apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which comprise economic, social and environmental criteria including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.

The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding, is the OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Programme is focussing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. It is the principal vehicle for implementing the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy.

The Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities, involves the production of predictive flood mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans.

Good progress is being made on the CFRAM Programme, the draft mapping is now being finalised following completion of the national statutory public consultation on 23rd December, 2015. Work on the development of preliminary options to address flood risk is underway. Following finalisation of the mapping and the identification of flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address the flood problems identified inthe areas of significant flood risk. The Plans, which are scheduled for public consultation in the second half of 2016 for finalisation by the end, will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. Further information on the Programme is available on www.cfram.ie.

The Government recently announced increased levels of investment in the area of flood relief as part of the overall Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and this investment programme will allow for consideration of measures arising from the Flood Risk Management Plans.

The OPW's Capital Investment Programme has already seen 36 major flood relief schemes implemented since 1995. The Government has allocated €80.7m in 2016 for the OPW's overall Flood Risk Management Programme of which €52.5m is for the continued implementation of the comprehensive programme of capital flood relief works. There are currently five major schemes at construction in Bray Co. Wicklow, River Dodder Dublin, South Campshires Dublin, Ennis Lower, and Phases 2, 3 and 4 in Waterford City. There are a further 26 schemes at design and planning stage and, of these, it is anticipated that construction works on schemes in Claregalway Co. Galway, Bandon and Skibbereen in Co. Cork, Templemore Co. Tipperary and Foynes Co. Limerick will be commenced this year.

Other schemes in the capital works programme will be advanced through the planning or Confirmation (Ministerial approval) processes and every effort will be made to also progress some of these schemes to construction in 2016.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress in the Morrell drainage and flood alleviation measures in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7216/16]

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

Kildare County Council (KCC), in consultation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), engaged consulting engineers to carry out a Full Feasibility Study, Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Lower Morrell River and the surrounding river catchment in order to resolve the outstanding localised flooding issues in the Straffan area. A Steering Group which comprises representatives of KCC, OPW and the consultants, was set up to advance the project.

KCC and its consultants submitted a Draft Options Report / Feasibility Study to the OPW in 2014. Following consideration of the draft report by the OPW, it was agreed by the Steering Group that the consultants would carry out a review of the proposed scheme. The review would investigate if additional or alternative and more cost effective measures could be put in place to alleviate flooding in the area. Any changes identified by the review process would need to be incorporated into the CBA and EIS before the scheme can be advanced.

I am advised that the consultants have completed the review process and KCC has submitted their findings to the OPW for consideration. A meeting of the Steering Group has been scheduled for the 28th April 2016 with a view to finalising the Feasibility Report. Once the Feasibility Report has been finalised, and provided the scheme is still economically and environmentally viable, KCC and the OPW will decide on how best to advance the proposed works. I can confirm that the Lower Morrell scheme remains a priority and the OPW has included provision for the cost of the proposed works in its financial profiles in the period up to 2018.