Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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34. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood prevention programme; the key projects that will be carried out in 2017; the key projects that have been completed in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26200/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Government has committed to a provision of €430 million for capital flood risk management measures over the period 2016-2021 with the annual allocation rising from €45m to €100m by 2021. This allocation is broken down as follows:

This will allow for the completion of projects in the current Capital Programme and the commencement of a number of projects arising from the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Plans, which are due to be completed shortly.

There are currently twelve major schemes at construction in Bandon (Cork), Bray (Wicklow), Bellurgan (Louth), Claregalway (Galway), Dodder (Dublin), Dunkellin (Galway), Ennis Lower (Clare), Foynes (Limerick), Northlands (Meath), Skibbereen (Cork), South Campshires (Dublin) and Verdant Place (Limerick) with the schemes on the South Campshires, Foynes, Verdant Place and Bray due to be completed this year.

In addition, major schemes at Athlone (Westmeath), Clonakilty (Cork), Ennis South (Clare) and Templemore (Tipperary) are among those expected to be commenced in 2017. The planning and design of a large number of other schemes will also be advanced throughout the year.

The Office of Public Works is also providing funding to Local Authorities under the Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake local smaller scale flood relief works. To date in 2017, 21 projects have been approved for funding bringing to over 600 the number of projects approved since the Scheme was initiated in 2009.