Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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213. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Buncrana and Luddan scheme, while included in the proposed measures for flood risk management County Donegal summary, is not in fact included in the first batch of schemes yet remains part of the ten year €1 billion programme of investment in flood relief measures; when the scheme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23265/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Flood Risk Management Plans I launched on 3 May 2018 set out the proposed measures to address Ireland’s flood risk. The Plans indicate that an additional 118 flood relief schemes are feasible and I announced €1bn investment to deliver these over the coming decade, under the National Development Plans 2018 to 2027. Together with the 75 schemes completed or underway means that the Government’s investment in flood relief schemes will protect 95% of properties at assessed risk from flooding.

This is a ten year Programme of investment to protect all properties that have an equal risk from flooding. The Programme has two objectives, nationally to target risk where its impact is greatest and regionally to utilise available capacity between the Office of Public Works and Local Authorities to deliver schemes. On 3 May, I announced €257 million for an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country, including the five largest schemes and 31 small or minor projects under €1 million being progressed directly by local authorities. The remaining schemes in the initial tranche provide benefit the greatest number of properties at risk, nationally, selected on a regional basis.

The OPW will continue to monitor progress with all schemes and continue to work closely with the local authorities making use of all available capacity to prioritise and deliver new schemes, including the Buncrana and Luddan scheme, during this ten year programme of investment.