Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

382. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the implementation and funding of the eastern CFRAM study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20221/20]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The key outcome of the Eastern CFRAM Study was the publication of four Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), which set out proposed measures, both structural and non-structural, to address the most significant areas of flood risk in the main river catchments in the Eastern region. The principal element in the Plans was the identification of 17 new flood relief schemes, in addition to those 13 schemes (or scheme phases) already underway in the Region prior to the publication of the FRMPs.

The four FRMPs for the Eastern River Basin District cover the eastern seaboard from Drogheda, Co. Louth to just south of Arklow, Co. Wickow and the river catchments draining to it, and included the Boyne Catchment (Area 07), the Nanny-Delvin Catchment (Area 08), the Liffey Catchment (Area 09) and a number of small catchments in South Dublin and Wicklow (Area 20). These four Plans were among a total of 29 such Plans published nationally by the Government in May 2018 as the key output on the culmination of the national CFRAM Programme. To support the implementation of the 29 Plans and, specifically, the 118 new flood relief schemes they recommended, the Government has committed almost €1 billion in funding for flood risk management in the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027. As it is not possible to undertake all the recommended schemes at the one time, some 60 schemes have been prioritised nationally for implementation in the first tranche. Of the 17 new schemes proposed in the Eastern FRMPs, 7 have been included for implementation in the first tranche. The Government is committed to the implementation of all of the schemes included in the Plans within the lifetime of the NDP 2018 – 2027.

Work was already underway on progressing Flood Relief Schemes in the following areas prior to the publication of the four Eastern FRMPs:

In addition, 17 schemes as indicated in the table below were recommended in the Eastern FRMPs announced in May 2018 – 7 of which were included in the first tranche of implementation. Since the publication of the Plans in May 2018, good progress has been made in progressing the 7 tranche 1 schemes.

While the Eastern CFRAM process investigated possible structural flood relief measures for a number of other areas in the region, economically viable schemes for these other communities were not identified, and so a review of the risk in these communities and the likely costs and benefits is to be undertaken to determine if viable schemes may be available. The OPW has put in place a process for undertaking such reviews as recommended in the FRMPs nationally, and it is envisaged that these reviews will be complete within the next 12 months. These areas include Aughrim, Kilcoole, Newcastle, Celbridge, Rush, Navan and Ratoath.

In addition to the structural measures (i.e. flood relief schemes ), the Plans also contain important non-structural measures to address flood risk and the overall implementation of the Plans is being overseen by an Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group.

A key role of the Interdepartmental Group is to carefully consider the extent of non-structural solutions that can inform the ten-year implementation strategy of the Flood Risk Management Plans. The 2009 Planning System and Flood Risk Management guidelines are informing planning decisions to prevent new properties being built in areas at risk from flooding. In 2016, the Government agreed to the establishment of a National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service to enable members of the public and local authorities take more preventative action to reduce the impact of flooding. An Implementation Plan for this service is being delivered by Met Eireann and is overseen by a Steering Group chaired by the Office of Public Works. It is a vital resource to inform future response to flood risk including how local authorities plan for and respond to flood events.