Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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33. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the CFRAM programme proposed for the east County Meath area to address some of the additional flood risks that have been identified over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16738/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works is working with Meath County Council to advance flood relief measures for east Meath, the details of which are set out beneath.

Mornington

There is an existing Flood Relief Scheme in place providing protection to 162 properties in Mornington. The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme identified potentially viable flood relief works for Mornington that may be implemented after project level assessment and planning that would augment the existing scheme and would provide protection to an additional 52 properties. The OPW is working with Meath County Council to advance the proposed measures at this location.

Northlands

The Northlands Flood Relief Scheme commenced in November, 2016. Construction of this scheme, consisted of in-situ reinforced concrete walls and precast concrete “U-channels”, and was carried out by the OPW and was substantially completed in early 2018.

There is currently a Steering Group in place with representatives from the Office of Public Works, Meath County Council and a design consultant to progress a design for a culvert upgrade as an extension to the Northlands Flood Relief Scheme. It is proposed to commence works on this culvert in Q2 of 2022 with completion of these works in Q3 of 2022.

Ashbourne

The construction of the Ashbourne Flood Alleviation Scheme commenced in January, 2019 and is being carried out by the OPW staff. Construction is due to be completed in Q3 of 2022. The scheme will comprise of the construction of an overflow weir to divert flow to the Broadmeadow River and the improvement of the channel and culvert capacity along the Broadmeadow and Ward Scheme. It will provide protection against a 100 year flood event for 69 properties.

Local flooding and coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.opw.ie.

Meath County Council has recently been approved funding of €90,000 under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a study of coastal erosion on the Meath coastline, from the Boyne Estuary to the mouth of the Delvin River.

Navan

Navan was identified as an Area for Further Assessment under the Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management study. No economically viable flood relief options were identified under the CFRAM Study for Navan, although a technical solution was identified. OPW has been working in partnership with County Council to undertake Meath a review the viability of a flood relief scheme for Navan. This Scheme Viability Review (SVR) consists of reviewing the hydrology, hydraulics, options and costings to determine if an economically viable measure may exist that could justify the progression to full project-level assessment. The project is due for completion in Q2 2022.