James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Enniscorthy flood relief scheme; the status of works to control and eradicate invasive species of vegetation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12451/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with Wexford County Council. The Scheme has been provided for in the OPW multi-annual Capital Expenditure Budgets, and is one of the major schemes financed under the National Development Plan 2018-27. Consultants Mott Mc Donald are leading on the design of the flood defences element with Roughan O’Donovan commissioned to design the proposed new road bridge. The existing Seamus Rafter bridge is a contributing factor to flooding in Enniscorthy and must be removed to ensure the success of the scheme. A replacement road bridge will be constructed just downstream of the town (crossing over the existing playground), and a new pedestrian bridge will be constructed in the area of the Seamus Rafter bridge.

Initial site investigations have been completed, along with archaeological and ecological assessments and reports. An advance programme to control and eradicate invasive species of vegetation is currently underway. Following the identification of invasive species within the site in 2015, a detailed survey was carried out to ascertain the full extent of the problem and to enable a management plan and treatment programme to be put in place. Treatment, which involves the controlled application of an approved herbicide, was carried out in 2016 and 2017. During 2018, the treatment of Japanese knotweed will take place in April & September and the treatment of Himalayan Balsam will be carried out in July this year. Further advance construction elements which involve relocation of services and utilities along the Promenade are expected to commence in 2018.

The scheme design and Environmental Impact Assessment Report (and other relevant reports) will be made available to the public through the statutory exhibition process. Following this, submissions received will be assessed, and designs may be amended as a result. Subsequently, formal Confirmation or approval for the scheme will be sought from the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, with construction expected to start in mid to late 2019.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when works will commence for the non-coastal flood relief works at Wexford Racecourse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12452/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I have been advised that the Office of Public Works approved funding of €126,000 in February 2018 under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection scheme to Wexford County Council for flood relief works at Wexford Racecourse, Co Wexford.

The implementation of these works is a matter for the Council and I understand that following the planning process and procurement of a contractor it is expected that works will commence in Q3 of 2018.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the flood relief scheme for 179 properties in Wexford town as flagged by the CFRAM and the flood risk management plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12453/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Works (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. 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.

The CFRAM Programme is focussing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, designated in 2012 as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. The flood risk for each of these areas has been assessed, through detailed engineering techniques to assess their risk and impact from flooding. This risk and the proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified to manage that risk are outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.

Wexford town is an AFA and is being assessed by the South Eastern CFRAM Study. The proposed measure consists of building hard defences with an estimated average height of 1.4 m and a total length of 1.3 km. At risk properties would be protected by a series of flood embankments and walls, along with improvement of channel conveyance close to the downstream end of the Carricklawn River.

In summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and each Plan was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (D/PER) for an independent review of the environmental assessments. Having now received the outcomes of the independent review of the environmental assessments for the Flood Risk Management Plans, the Commissioners of Public Works are submitting the Flood Risk Management Plans to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for approval.

The National Development Plan 2018-2027 commits to almost €1 billion in funding for flood relief schemes, with annual Capital funding for the OPW doubling to €100 m by 2021. This funding will support continued investment in schemes at construction and design. Once the Plans are approved, I intend to announce a prioritised initial tranche of schemes proposed by the Plans to progress to detailed project level assessment and that provide greatest return for Government investment.