Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

56. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his expenditure on flood relief plans in 2016 to date; how this compares with projected expenditure at the start of 2016; the amount of expenditure that will be needed in the next ten years to deal with currently identified areas in danger of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19749/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The core strategy for addressing the areas at significant risk and impact from flooding is the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Good progress is being made on the CFRAM Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities. The Programme involves the production of predictive flood mapping for each Area for Further Assessment (AFA), the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans.

Good progress continues to be made this year also on the implementation of the CFRAM Programme. The Programme involves the production of predictive flood mapping for 300 areas of significant flood risk, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans for those areas.

The draft flood 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 has been completed. 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 viable measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified. The draft Plans are scheduled to be made available for public consultation from mid-2016. Following the public consultation process the finalised 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.

The OPW implements major flood relief schemes to protect our main towns and cities through its Flood Relief Capital Works Programme, carries out maintenance of those schemes and earlier, mainly agricultural schemes carried out under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945.

The total funding available to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for its overall flood risk management programme in 2016 is €80.746 million. This amount includes 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 2016.

Of the total allocation of €80.746 million, an amount of €52.561 million has been provided in 2016 for expenditure on flood relief capital works. This amount provides 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 the CFRAM programme. 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. The system of deferred surrender or capital carryover ensures that the funding is not lost to the flood capital investment programme.

Expenditure to date by the OPW in 2016 on its overall flood risk management programme is €23.223 million. Within this amount direct expenditure to date on the implementation of flood relief schemes and the CFRAM Programme is €10m approximately. This is somewhat ahead of the amount profiled for this at the beginning of the year. Good progress is being made on the implementation of all the main elements of the programme and I am satisfied that, while not without some challenges, expenditure of the full allocation for the year remains on target.

In relation to the capital works element of the programme in particular, major schemes in Ennis, Waterford and the river Wad in Dublin will be completed this year. Works are continuing on the major schemes in Bray, on the River Dodder in Dublin and on the quays in Dublin. The Deputy will be pleased to hear also that works have now commenced on the River Clare scheme in Claregalway, contracts have been signed for the major schemes in Bandon and Skibbereen and the contractors are mobilising to commence construction of those works in the next few weeks. The schemes for Templemore, Foynes and Dunkellin are expected to commence construction in 2016 also. Another 21 schemes will continue to be advanced through design and planning stages.

Smaller scale flood relief works continue to be funded in 2016 through the OPW's Minor Works scheme which puts local authorities in funds to carry out more localised flood mitigation measures. Expenditure of €2.5 - €3.0 million is anticipated on this scheme in 2016. Approximately 30 projects have been approved for funding to date in 2016 which brings the total number approved since 2009 when the scheme was introduced to 544 with total expenditure of €30m. approximately.

In the important area of maintenance, each year the OPW carries out work to approximately 2,000km of channels and some 200 structures around the country as part of its ongoing and rolling arterial drainage maintenance programme. €15.3 million is allocated to the maintenance programme nationally in 2016 and this programme and funding is fully committed for 2016. Expenditure to date in 2016 on the maintenance programme is €7.1 million which is in line with profiled expenditure. The timing of work on individual projects is determined having regard to the needs of regular maintenance and the prioritisation of urgent jobs.

Increased levels of investment in the area of flood relief will be required and are being provided for as part of the overall Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and this investment programme will allow for consideration and implementation of measures arising from the CFRAM Flood Risk Management Plans. This Partnership Government is demonstrating its support of flood relief by committing to the €430m for Flood Risk Management (FRM) included within the 2016-2021 Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan. Under the Plan expenditure on flood risk measures is planned to increase from its current level of €45m per annum to €100m per annum by 2021.