Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s national flood policy, which includes the development of a planned programme of feasible works for flood relief schemes.

In 2018, to facilitate the development of a programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study - the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM programme resulted in the publication of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), which identified and described the flood risk in 29 river basins (including the Barrow River Basin and the town of Mountmellick) and potentially viable flood relief works.

To facilitate the progression of potentially viable flood relief works in Mountmellick, Laois County Council agreed, with the support of the OPW, to lead the further detailed assessment of the flood risk, design options and environmental assessments to support a planning application for a viable scheme.

The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme, which has a preliminary total project budget of €6.8m, is currently at Stage 1 – Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. To progress the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme, Laois County Council engaged the services of JBA Consulting.

With support from the OPW, various works have been completed by Laois County Council and its consultants, including Hydrological and Hydraulic Reports, and Environmental Surveys, with public consultation events also been held.

The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme is currently approaching the end of Stage 1 with the selection of a preferred option, which involves flood defences such as embankments, walls, culvert upgrades and a bridge replacement over the Owenass River that will provide protection to some 80 properties against flooding. The preferred option was selected based on a range of criteria including economic, environmental and ecological impact, climate change adaptability and consideration of the feedback which arose during the public and stakeholder consultation process.

Following the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report, it is envisaged that in the first part of 2024, the planning application process will commence to get consent for the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme from An Bord Pleanála under Part 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Construction works will commence as soon as possible after planning consent is granted.

Expenditure to date for this scheme is some €1.15m.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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342. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline all policies and plans currently in train to deal with the inevitable and increasing impacts of flooding as a result of climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47436/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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It is likely that climate change will have significant impacts on flooding and flood risk in Ireland due to rising sea levels, increased rainfall in winter, more heavy rain days and more intense storms. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken a range of initiatives to ensure that appropriate adaptive approaches are prepared for these projected climate changes and their associated impact on flood risk.

The National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme undertook detailed assessments of flooding and its impacts for 300 communities potentially at risk from flooding. These communities are home to approximately two-thirds of the population, and 80% of properties potentially at risk in Ireland from rivers and seas.

The evidence provided by the CFRAM Programme supports the Government’s €1.3bn planned investment to complete 151 flood relief schemes through the National Development Plan as part of Project 2040. Since the launch of the Flood Risk Management Plans in May 2018, the number of flood relief schemes under design and construction, by the OPW in partnership with Local Authorities, has trebled to 98 schemes. Together with the 53 schemes already completed or substantially completed, this means that the OPW and Local Authorities have completed, or are now actively working on, projects to protect 80% of those properties to be protected in this decade.

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 coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. This scheme provides 90% funding to local authorities to manage localised flood risk. This scheme can provide temporary measures for at-risk communities pending the delivery of a major flood relief scheme for their area.

Information on the status of flood relief schemes and data on Minor Works is available at www.floodinfo.ie/.

The CFRAM Programme included an assessment of the flood risk that could arise in the future due to climate change. These assessments are kept under continuous review by the OPW. The OPW programme of flood relief schemes is taking account of climate change in their design and construction to facilitate adaptation that may be necessary in the future for the scheme to ensure that schemes continue to provide the requisite protection.

As the lead agency with responsibility for Flood Risk Management, the OPW developed a Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan that was approved by Government in October 2019. The overall aim of the Plan is to promote sustainable communities and support our environment through the effective management of the potential impacts of climate change on flooding and flood risk.

To deliver on this goal, the OPW has identified the following adaptation objectives:

• Enhancing our knowledge and understanding of the potential impacts of climate change for flooding and flood risk management through research and assessment
• Adapting flood risk management practice to effectively manage the potential impact of climate change on future flood risk
• Aligning adaptation to the impact of climate change on flood risk and flood risk management across sectors and wider Government policy.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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343. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, further to the second serious flooding incident that occurred in east Meath since September, which has destroyed many homes, he will seek an urgent update on discussions between the OPW and Meath County Council in respect of additional flood works required and plans going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47439/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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There is an existing Flood Relief Scheme in place in Mornington, Co. Meath providing protection to 162 properties.

After the August 2023 flood event in the Mornington/Bettystown area a senior level group involving the OPW and Meath County Council was established to review the event and any additional measures in the Mornington/Bettystown area that may now be required.

The OPW instructed RPS to investigate both the cause and magnitude of the flooding events in Mornington in August and October of this year. This investigation will inform any appropriate short term measures that can be taken to manage the flood risk in this area and in the longer term the design for those further flood relief defences currently proposed. Phase 1 of this report is currently being finalised.

The most recent meeting to review progress to date on the potential flood relief measures for Mornington/Bettystown took place on 26th October and was attended by representatives from the OPW, Meath County Council, Uisce Éireann and RPS consulting engineers.

Mornington Flood Relief Scheme Maintenance

The OPW commenced, on the 9^thOctober, the annual maintenance of the Mornington Stream channel and embankments, which together form the Mornington Flood Relief Scheme. This work will continue until mid-December 2023.

Meath County Council Maintenance Works

Meath County Council (MCC) are currently checking road gullies and storm water drains in the general area, carrying out cleaning as required. MCC will continue to check and clean gullies as needed. In addition to the works on the roads, MCC will also shortly commence the removal/trimming of trees in some of the streams in the area. These include the streams to the north and south of the Village Estate which form part of the Mornington Drainage District. When the larger pieces of vegetation that could cause blockages have been removed, any cleaning required will be undertaken.

Northlands Flood Relief Scheme

The Northlands Flood Relief Scheme commenced in November, 2016. Construction of this scheme, consisted of in-situ reinforced concrete walls and precast concrete “U-channels”, and was carried out by the OPW (direct works) on behalf of Meath County Council, and was substantially completed in Q1 of 2018.

There is currently a Steering Group in place with representatives from the Office of Public Works, Meath County Council and a design consultant to progress a design for a culvert upgrade as an extension to the Northlands Flood Relief Scheme.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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344. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the flood relief scheme for Ballina, County Mayo. [47498/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s national flood policy, which includes the development of a planned programme of feasible works for flood relief schemes.

In 2018, to facilitate the development of a programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study - the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM programme resulted in the publication of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), which identified and described the flood risk in 29 river basins (including the Moy and Killala Bay Basin and the town of Ballina in Co. Mayo) and potentially viable flood relief works.

To facilitate the progression of potentially viable flood relief works in Ballina, Mayo County Council agreed, with the support of the OPW, to lead the further detailed assessment of the flood risk, design options and environmental assessments to support planning applications for a viable scheme.

The Ballina Flood Relief Scheme, which has a preliminary total project budget of €30m, is currently at Stage 1 – Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. To progress the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme, Mayo County Council engaged the services of RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd.

With support from the OPW, various works have been completed by Mayo County Council and its consultants, including Hydrological and Hydraulic Reports, Topographical Surveys, Ground Investigations and Environmental Surveys, with public consultation events also having been held. A draft Options Report in which a preferred scheme design option has been identified is currently being reviewed. It is envisaged an Environmental Impact Assessment Report will be completed in Q1 2024 at which point Stage I will be completed and the scheme is expected to proceed to planning process from Q2 2024.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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345. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the flood relief scheme for Crossmolina, County Mayo. [47499/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has engaged independent environmental consultants to carry out the relevant environmental assessments as required by EU Directives 2011/92 and 2014/52.

On the basis of advice received, in order to reach a full, reasoned conclusion on the environmental impacts of the scheme, I have sought supplementary information from the Office of Public Works as provided for under Section 7(4)(b) of the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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346. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an update on the flood relief scheme for Foxford, County Mayo. [47500/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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In 2018, the Office of Public Works (OPW) completed the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the OPW’s Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.

On foot of the evidence in the FRMP, since 2018 the OPW is finalising a Scheme Viability Review (SVR) for Foxford to determine whether it is feasible to progress a major flood relief scheme for this community or if other flooding mitigation measures should be progressed.