Written answers

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Relief Schemes

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the proposed relocation scheme for families affected by flooding; the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36590/16]

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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On 8th November I announced funding of €2m for a targeted humanitarian aid scheme for those primary residential properties that flooded during last Winter and had flooded in previous years to ensure those worst affected homeowners have a primary residence.

While the Government has agreed that the terms of funding for relocation will be in line with the previous scheme in 2009, I am to appraise Government of the ongoing review of the administrative arrangements from that earlier scheme, to ensure that the arrangements for this once-off scheme are reflective of its targeted objective and all relevant circumstances.

I want to ensure that the funding is targeted at those homeowners at greatest risk of future flooding and would gain greatest benefit from State support to relocate.

The Office of Public Works is working jointly with Local Authorities and the Department of Social Protection to identify and prioritise homeowners and review the administrative arrangements for this scheme.

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of 3 November 2016, his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36666/16]

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Parts of the townland of Ardcullen are low lying and within the benefiting areas of the River Feale drainage scheme and are protected by OPW embankments. That scheme was constructed in the 1950s under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. It was designed to provide outfall to agricultural land and not designed to provide protection to properties from extreme flooding events such as have been seen in recent years. OPW carried out some emergency repair works to the embankments this year and intend to carry out further defence works in 2017. It must be highlighted that the Cashen Estuary is a Special Area of Conservation and as such has protected status. Consultants for the Cashen Estuary Drainage Project have recently been appointed by this Office to bring a viable scheme forward through environmental assessment, detailed design, tender and construction, subject to available funding.

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