Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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288. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the establishment and operation of the national flood forecasting and warning service unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22594/22]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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289. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the establishment and operation of the national flood forecasting and warning service unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22596/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.

In 2016, the Government agreed to the establishment of a National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service (NFFWS) to enable members of the public and local authorities take more preparatory action to reduce the impact of flooding.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) chairs the Steering Group for the NFFWS, which comprises representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Met Éireann and the local authorities to steer and support the establishment of the new service. The Steering Group has agreed an implementation plan for the delivery of this service and there has been significant progress made to date in relation to its implementation.There are a number of subgroups reporting to the Steering Group which deal with technical, communications and legal issues.

Within Met Éireann, the Chief Hydrometeorologist is leading the establishment and development of the Flood Forecast Centre (FFC) and is currently supported by 7 hydrometeorologists and 1 Principal Meteorological Officer. The staffing complement at the FFC is now at 9 persons.

Met Éireann staff have developed prototype forecast models for all 36 Hydrometric Areas in Ireland using the preferred flood forecasting software. These have all been integrated into software that will automate the running of the models and the production of flood forecasts. The pre-operational version of the national scale flood forecast system was completed at the end of 2021. Testing, identification of data gaps and improvement of this system will continue to be carried out. This will also involve close liaison with end users (primarily local authorities) to provide feedback on what services they will require from the system.

When fully operational, this service will be of significant benefit to communities and individuals to prepare for and lessen the impact of flooding. The service will deal with flood forecasting from fluvial and coastal sources and when established it will involve the issuing of flood forecasts and general alerts at both national and catchment scales. Existing flood forecasting and warning systems and arrangements will continue to be maintained until the national service is fully operational.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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290. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of plans to progress works to address issues with the strand line wall, in Kilkee, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22711/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Local flooding and coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.

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.

Clare County Council have submitted an application to the OPW on 3^rdMay 2022 for a study to examine the Strand line seawall, Kilkee. Once the application has been assessed by OPW a response will issue to Clare County Council.