Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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212. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the risk of flooding in Sutton and Baldoyle has been assessed a part of his nationwide flood assessment; if measures are being considered which would reduce this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63092/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State, culminated with the launch in 2018 of 29 flood risk management plans which propose 118 new outline flood relief projects on top of the major projects already completed and the schemes that were ongoing at the time within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public Works (OPW). All projects are being funded under the Government's flood risk investment programme of almost €1.3 billion under the National Development Plan to 2030.

Since 2018, the OPW has trebled the number of schemes, to 90, in the pipeline being designed and at construction. Given the highly specialised market for designing flood relief schemes, it is not possible to progress all proposed new schemes at once.

While the proposed scheme in Sutton and North Howth is not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, the OPW continues to liaise closely with Fingal County Council to ensure that the programme of flood relief projects identified for Fingal is kept under review, and that all projects will be commenced as soon as possible and within the timeframe for the National Development Plan.

As the flood risk management plans did not identify a scheme for Baldoyle, it is open to Fingal County Council to make an application under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for funding for a scheme in this location, if necessary.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The works to be funded are carried out under Local Authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the Council.

Under the 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.floodinfo.ie/