Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Risk Assessments

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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125. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which any assessment has been done throughout the country with a view to identifying areas of potential flooding which could be remedied by way of improved drainage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7756/16]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 focusing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of and impact from 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 that can address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified. The Plans, which are scheduled for completion by the end of 2016, 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 OPWs 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.

The OPW has statutory responsibility for maintenance of the drainage works carried out by it under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. Each year the OPW carries out work to approximately 2,000km of channels and about 200 structures around the country as part of its ongoing and rolling arterial drainage maintenance programme. While the average cycle of maintenance is generally in the range 4 to 7 years, the OPW assesses annually the maintenance requirement.

Prior to the enactment of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 various drainage works were carried out in locations around the country. Responsibility for maintenance of these works (known as Drainage Districts) rests with the relevant local authority in each case.

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