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 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.

To date, 53 schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 12,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €1.9 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway. Six of these flood relief schemes have been completed since 2020. These flood relief projects are: Bandon; Clonakilty, Ennis Lower; Ennis South; Douglas; and Ashbourne. Approximately €150m has been invested in completing these six projects, which provide financial benefit to the State of over €265m and are providing protection to over 2,300 properties. It is expected that the Dodder Phase 2 Flood Relief Scheme will be completed before the end of 2023, with a further 900 properties benefitting from its completion. The Springfield Flood Relief Scheme is nearing completion with 18 properties benefitting from its completion.

Major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations that can impact on people's living, built and natural environment and, therefore, require lengthy planning and decision lead-in times. The process follows a number of stages from feasibility through design, planning, detailed design and construction. It is important that the work is done correctly and achieves its objectives. Extensive and detailed technical analysis is required to establish the most appropriate solution, technically and environmentally, from a range of possible mitigation options. The solution has also be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change.

Extensive public consultation is required at various stages to ensure that those affected by a scheme have the opportunity to input into its design and implementation. Ecological and archaeological issues often require in-depth analysis in order to ensure that the technical solution selected will meet the requirements of existing EU and national environmental legislation.

At all times, the OPW strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum delay within the resources available to it. A Steering Group for each major scheme is in place that meets monthly typically to review progress, risks and programme. There are currently seven major flood relief schemes at construction, four of which are anticipated to be complete within the next 12 months, and a further six schemes are anticipated to commence construction in 2024.

In addition to the flood relief schemes noted above, the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme provides funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation or coastal protection works or studies to address localised flooding and/or coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. This scheme provides 90% funding to local authorities to manage localised flood risk.