Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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147. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform what plans his Department has to reduce the risk of flooding nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49282/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works, as the lead agency for flood risk management, is coordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s National Flood Risk Policy.

A broad range of structural and non-structural measures have already been implemented to address flood risk under an approach structured around three pillars: prevention, protection and preparedness.

In 2018, to establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State: the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect over 95% of that risk. Some 150 additional flood relief schemes were identified through this Programme.

The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of these flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 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 100 schemes at this time.

The implementation of flood relief projects is a very complex process with significant challenges. Designing a technical solution, ensuring a robust approach to the environmental assessments, and meeting other regulatory requirements are essential to both inform the best scheme and to reduce the risk of challenges to a proposed scheme.

To date, 54 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.

Of the flood relief schemes being progressed through the various stages from scheme development through to planning, detailed design, construction and handover, seven schemes are currently at construction stage and, once completed, these schemes will provide flood protection to approximately 1,700 properties.

Schemes currently being delivered have been prioritised as Tranche I schemes. Also included in these active schemes are four Tranche II Pilot projects. The pilot, which I announced in May 2023, is in response to engagement between OPW and local authorities to agree a planned national approach to future schemes. Consequently, a new delivery model for flood relief schemes is being piloted which will better inform the future Tranche II schemes' delivery.

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.

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

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Roscommon County Council is leading the response to the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh, Co. Roscommon.

Under my direction senior officials from the Office of Public Works (OPW) met with officials from Roscommon County Council during 2022 focusing on identifying possible approaches to a viable solution to manage the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh.

In December 2022 Roscommon County Council and the OPW agreed to establish an Expert Working Group to support and help to identify the pathway to finding a means of progressing a viable solution. The membership of this Expert Working Group includes cross departmental and agency representation.

The initial work of the Expert Group was to scope out the requirements for a commission to undertake the necessary surveys and investigations. This work is being informed by a review, by the OPW, of the evidence and research on the nature and functioning of Lough Funshinagh. The brief for the necessary surveys and investigations required have been progressed, but due to the current market conditions there has been difficulty procuring these services.

A Steering Group being led by the Council, with representation from the OPW oversee the work to identify a viable solution to manage the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh. The Steering Group has been meeting throughout the past year and is meeting again this week and will discuss progression of the necessary surveys and investigations and the estimated timelines to progress to implementation.

I can assure the Deputy that I am doing all that I can to support both the community and Roscommon County Council in progressing this matter to find an effective and sustainable solution to address the flooding risk in the area.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Shannon Callows is a natural floodplain, which floods in winter. Summer flooding in the Shannon Callows region is also a real concern when there is heavy summer rainfall.

Possible approaches to provide a long term solution to summer flooding in the Shannon Callows are being developed by the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group (the Group). The Shannon Callows includes two sites designated under European Environmental legislation, the River Shannon Callows SAC and the Middle Shannon Callows SPA.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM) included a Shannon CFRAM Study which identified possible benefits of removing constrictions or ‘pinch points’ on the bed of the channel between Athlone and Meelick Weir, subject to more detailed analysis.

The Group's work is informed by the Flood Risk Management Plans for the Shannon River Basin District (RBD). Currently, there are 13 completed schemes in the Shannon RBD and these schemes are already providing protection to over 2,600 properties. A further 36 flood relief schemes will be delivered or underway as part of the Government’s €1.3bn investment in flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030. 24 of these schemes are currently being progressed including Athlone and Springfield which are currently at construction stage. When completed, all schemes will protect 95% of properties identified as being at significant risk from flooding in the Shannon RBD.

The Group met on 11th October, 2023 and discussed a range of issues relating to work underway to assist with flood risk management along the River Shannon, including the project for the removal of the ‘pinch points’ through the Callows region between Athlone and Meelick weir. The Government has noted the decision of the Group to invest €4m in this project and a further €3m in strategic maintenance along the River Shannon.

A Steering Group is in place to oversee the project. A tender will issue shortly for an Ecological Consultant to carry out a high level environmental study. The study will consider the possible impacts of: the excavation of material at key locations in the River Shannon channel; the longer term maintenance of the riverbed (sediment and vegetation management) and changes in water levels.