Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has invested €63m across 875 unique local flood relief projects that protect some 7,800 properties, through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This 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/or 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 the OPW website.

The OPW welcome applications under this scheme and are happy to engage with Local Authorities in this regard.

A review of the Minor Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, which I have requested, has been underway in the OPW. This review is examining, amongst other things, the increase to the cost threshold which should apply in order to ensure that effective supports are being provided to Local Authorities. I am aware that the review is nearing completion and I look forward to its finalisation.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 38 of 27 June 2023, the status of the review of the programme for the Coirib go Cósta flood relief scheme; if the additional flood relief works have been scoped and agreed to date; when the revised project programme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46980/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that Galway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme, with technical advice and funding being provided by the Office of Public Works. The primary objective of the Coirib go Cósta Project is to assess, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Galway City.

The process of redefining the scope has taken longer than first envisaged due to the complexity of the scheme and has been carried out by the Engineering & Environmental Consultants who are progressing the Scheme.

A draft revised scope reflecting additional works for the scheme has recently been presented to Galway City Council. This revised scope is currently being reviewed by the Coirib go Cósta Steering Group members for their analysis and agreement. In parallel the consultants have submitted a revised programme incorporating the proposed additional scope and this programme is also currently being reviewed by the Coirib go Cósta Steering Group members. Galway City Council has advised that, subject to a contract variation, it expects that the revised programme should be available by the end of November, 2023.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform what engagement there has been between his Department and other Departments this year in relation to the delivery of necessary flood protection schemes in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47005/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities throughout the country, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning and construction to some 98 schemes at this time.

The implementation of flood relief projects is a very complex process with significant challenges. Throughout the scheme-delivery stages, flood relief schemes’ project budgets are continually monitored and reviewed by OPW. As the overall delivery programme advances, OPW engages with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding the capital and current funding required through the annual budget process.

Where flood relief schemes are progressed under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, as amended, formal confirmation from the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is required in order to proceed to construction. The confirmation process of schemes is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

The OPW engages with other departments and state agencies through a variety of groups. In particular, these include the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Coordination Working Group and Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group.

In 2016, the Government established the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Coordination Working Group to improve coordination between all state agencies involved with the River Shannon and to introduce coordinated flood risk solutions. The Group coordinates the work of all the members to maximise flood risk mitigation. To add to the overall flood protection from flood relief schemes, the Group produces an annual Work Programme that demonstrates the extensive work and coordination by all State bodies to jointly and proactively help address flood risk on the Shannon under the following themes of activity: physical works, maintenance, water management, regulatory, policy and planning. The Group is currently progressing a number of collaborative initiatives including a strategic maintenance programme. The Group met on 26 April 2023 and 11 October 2023.

The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group, chaired by the OPW, is a whole of Government cross-sectoral Group that co-ordinates national flood policy development and implementation. The purpose of the Group is to have regard to the extent of non-structural solutions that are informing the implementation strategy of the 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans and to ensure that policies that can benefit communities and individuals directly - to be prepared and respond to or live with flood risk - are carefully considered.

The Group is progressing a wide range of significant policy initiatives, including avoiding construction in flood-prone areas, protecting at risk communities against their significant flood risk; and planning for responding to reduce the impacts of flood events on communities and individuals. Many actions identified are now being implemented by the relevant Departments and Offices.

A progress review of the work of the Group to include the consideration of recommendations for the Government on further measures that could contribute to improved flood risk management for individuals and communities is underway. This review and recommendations will be submitted to Government for its consideration over the coming months.

The Interdepartmental Group typically meets twice per annum and met most recently on 20 April 2023, and a further meeting is due to be held before the end of the year.

The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities throughout the country, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning and construction to some 98 schemes at this time.

The implementation of flood relief projects is a very complex process with significant challenges. Throughout the scheme-delivery stages, flood relief schemes’ project budgets are continually monitored and reviewed by OPW. As the overall delivery programme advances, OPW engages with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding the capital and current funding required through the annual budget process.

Where flood relief schemes are progressed under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, as amended, formal confirmation from the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is required in order to proceed to construction. The confirmation process of schemes is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

The OPW engages with other departments and state agencies through a variety of groups. In particular, these include the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Coordination Working Group and Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group.

In 2016, the Government established the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Coordination Working Group to improve coordination between all state agencies involved with the River Shannon and to introduce coordinated flood risk solutions. The Group coordinates the work of all the members to maximise flood risk mitigation. To add to the overall flood protection from flood relief schemes, the Group produces an annual Work Programme that demonstrates the extensive work and coordination by all State bodies to jointly and proactively help address flood risk on the Shannon under the following themes of activity: physical works, maintenance, water management, regulatory, policy and planning. The Group is currently progressing a number of collaborative initiatives including a strategic maintenance programme. The Group met on 26 April 2023 and 11 October 2023.

The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group, chaired by the OPW, is a whole of Government cross-sectoral Group that co-ordinates national flood policy development and implementation. The purpose of the Group is to have regard to the extent of non-structural solutions that are informing the implementation strategy of the 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans and to ensure that policies that can benefit communities and individuals directly - to be prepared and respond to or live with flood risk - are carefully considered.

The Group is progressing a wide range of significant policy initiatives, including avoiding construction in flood-prone areas, protecting at risk communities against their significant flood risk; and planning for responding to reduce the impacts of flood events on communities and individuals. Many actions identified are now being implemented by the relevant Departments and Offices.

A progress review of the work of the Group to include the consideration of recommendations for the Government on further measures that could contribute to improved flood risk management for individuals and communities is underway. This review and recommendations will be submitted to Government for its consideration over the coming months.

The Interdepartmental Group typically meets twice per annum and met most recently on 20 April 2023, and a further meeting is due to be held before the end of the year.