Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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286. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the person or body that has responsibility for the clearing of gullies blocked by leaves; and his views on whether there is a responsibility in areas in which flooding is known to occur to ensure that these gullies are cleared in advance of adverse weather conditions. [57423/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In September 2004, Government approved a national flood risk policy which assigned OPW the lead role for flood risk management and mitigation. The OPW is responsible for overseeing Ireland’s approach to flood risk management across three strategic and policy areas, i.e. prevention, protection and preparedness.

The 2004 report also acknowledged that the primary concern of my Department in relation to flooding, is to ensure that when adverse conditions arise, local authorities (including the fire services) are able to respond promptly and effectively to help offset the worst effects in relation to those aspects for which they have direct responsibility.

There are three main flooding threats:

- Fluvial (river)

- Tidal

- Pluvial (rainfall)

My Department is designated as the Lead Government Department for response to flooding with the Office of Public Works (OPW) having responsibility for flood prevention and mitigation. The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) of my Department, working with Met Éireann and OPW, monitor weather conditions on an on-going basis. NDFEM staff co-ordinate the response to flooding at national level, when required, supporting local authorities.

Local authorities are designated as a Principal Response Agency as well as being 'Lead Agency' for coordinating the local response to flooding emergencies as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006). Local authorities prioritise life safety when responding to flooding emergencies. Protection of critical infrastructure, property and transport routes are also key objectives in any response to flooding.

My Department works with relevant stakeholders as appropriate, including Met Éireann, OPW, local authorities, relevant Departments and ESB to ensure a co-ordinated response to each flooding event.

The arrangements for emergency management have evolved and, when called upon, are seen as having worked well, in particular the responses to flooding and other severe weather emergencies led by local authorities. All local authorities have Severe Weather/ Flood Plans in place to support the response to weather emergencies as part of their individual Major Emergency Plans. Local authorities also have a Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann weather warnings and OPW and EFAS flood advisory/ warnings and High Tide Advisories. This enables local authorities, where possible, to anticipate and prepare for potential flooding events, and stand up the appropriate resources in readiness. All Local Authorities also have scheduled maintenance programmes in place, which incorporate the clearing of leaves in autumn and on-going general road and gully cleaning.