Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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191. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which he intends to remedy those cases in which the loss of social, economic or environmental and natural heritage occur from flooding in the context of the national long-term climate action strategy that is required under section 3(2)(d) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended), for flood mitigation which is not deemed suitable to be financed through a cost-benefit analysis; the relief that will be offered to those that will and already are experiencing adverse impacts as a result of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4163/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Managing Ireland’s flood risk is a long-term commitment, requiring a multi-sectoral approach through both capital infrastructural measures and non-infrastructural measures.

Before I provide you with some information on the humanitarian assistance available from a number of sources in the worst case situation of properties affected by flooding, I would like to give you a broader context of the policies and investment in place to protect people and properties from future flooding.

Following on from the review of national flood policy, launched in 2018, the OPW Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) are a roadmap for flood risk management measures that, in conjunction with flood risk schemes already constructed, will provide protection to approximately 95% of properties assessed to be at significant flood risk.

Building on the FRMPs, the OPW has published a Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management 2019 - 2024, in line with the requirements of the National Adaptation Frameworkand the Climate Action Plan 2019. The Sectoral Plan approved by Government in October 2019 includes twenty-one actions to meet the objectives of ongoing research and assessment, adapting flood risk management practice across Government to effectively manage the potential impacts of climate change on future flood risk.

In addition, other sectoral adaptation plans include important actions in relation to flooding and flood risk. The Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plans for Biodiversity, and for the Built and Archaeological Heritage which are under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage contain actions in relation to adaptation of the built and natural heritage in the context of potential impacts from flooding and flood risk. The Sectoral Adaptation Plans are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/51df3-sectoral-adaptation-planning/.

The Climate Action Plan 2021 lists the actions needed to deliver on Ireland’s climate targets and sets indicative ranges of emissions reductions for each sector of the economy. The Plan will be updated annually, including in 2022, to ensure alignment with legally binding economy-wide carbon budgets and sectoral ceilings.

The OPW is co-ordinating Ireland’s whole of Government approach to flood risk management through the Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group, across the following strategic and policy areas:

- Prevention - avoiding construction in flood-prone areas.

- Protection - taking feasible measures to protect areas against flooding.

- Preparedness - planning and responding to reduce the impacts of flood events.

The members of this Interdepartmental Group are proactively progressing a wide range of significant policy initiatives, for example:

- The Department of Social Protection has an important role in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events through the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to prevent hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.

- The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment operates the humanitarian support scheme for small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies provides assistance to those affected by flooding. The scheme provides a one-off emergency humanitarian support contribution (max. €20,000) towards the costs of returning business premises’ to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock.

- The Department of Rural and Community Development has developed a draft Framework Proposal for Community Resilience within Major Emergency Management. The draft Framework explores the potential additional support structure that can be built into existing response plans, facilitating greater co-operation and understanding at a local level while providing the potential for extra resources if, and when, required.

- The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is designated as the Lead Government Department with responsibility for severe weather events including flooding. Local Authorities are designated as the lead agency for response to flooding in the Framework for Major Emergency Management.

- The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities in November 2009. The Guidelines provide for the incorporation of flood risk identification, assessment and management into the planning process.