Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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134. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding allocated to date for flood mitigation works on the rivers Shannon and Suck since the flooding of 2015; the status of each project; the works planned on both river catchments; the number of families that applied for home relocation; the number approved, rejected and on hand; the number of homeowners that applied for individual property protection measures; the number approved, rejected and on hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3094/20]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has invested approximately €11m on flood relief capital projects on the Rivers Shannon and Suck channels since the end of 2015. The projects listed below will be implemented over the course of the National Development Plan to 2027. Construction is well advanced on the Athlone scheme and design and planning work is well underway on the others in the list.  The value of the projects listed is in excess of €120m when the whole life cost of each is considered.

2017 Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme

Current Status of the Scheme:

A total of 169properties were identified through Local Authorities and direct Expressions of Interest, as being potentially eligible, of which:

- 73were ineligible for further consideration and includes 22 homeowners who volunteered not to engage with the scheme, 

-engineering solutions have been identified to potentially protect some 35homes from future flooding funded by CFRAM, the Minor Works Scheme and the Remedial Works Scheme,  

-work is continuing with the Local Authorities to explore possible engineering  solutions for a further 23homes,

- 38were invited to proceed to Stage 2 of the Scheme

The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland have approved 25homeowners for humanitarian assistance under the Scheme. All 25homeowners have been offered relocation in line with the criteria for the scheme.

Individual Property Protection

The Government’s 10 year programme of investment in flood relief schemes together with those in existence and underway aim to protect 95% of properties assessed under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study as being at risk of flooding.

The OPW is undertaking a study of Individual Property Protection (IPP) to look at the potential for a national scheme to protect a proportion of those properties that do not form part of the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) arising from the CFRAM study.

This study is examining the administrative arrangements for IPP schemes where they exist in other jurisdictions including Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.  It is also considering work undertaken for two pilot schemes in Crossmolina and Thomastown/Graiguenamangh in Kilkenny.  

The study is highlighting the many interdependencies to ensure the effectiveness of IPP measures.  Hence the introduction of financial support to incentivise individuals to acquire IPP products for their homes needs broader consideration in the context of these findings.  The OPW is continuing to explore options for IPP having regard to the results of this study.