Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) were published in May 2018 and identified more than 100 flood relief schemes to be further developed for implementation. The related Flood Maps set out, for the first time, the predictive extent of the exposure to flood risk in each of the 300 communities assessed. These maps indicate areas that may be prone to flooding under different event scenarios (including for 1 in 100 year and 1 in 1000 year events), and may be of use to planners, emergency response leads, developers, and other sectors, including people concerned about flood risk. The maps are available on www.floodinfo.ie.

In addition to the identified schemes, a number of further schemes were also found to be technically feasible, but their estimated costs were considered to marginally exceed their long-term benefits, making them not economically viable based on the level of assessment of the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Studies.

The FRMPs included the recommendation to undertake a review of these potential schemes to confirm in greater detail the likely viability of a scheme for each community. Mountrath was included as an Area for Further Assessment (AFA). OPW are currently undertaking a viability review for the town, the results of which are expected in early 2024.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme is also available 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 works to be funded are carried out under Local Authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the relevant 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: www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/.

Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under this Scheme of circa €490,738 for County Laois. Included in this figure and of particular note is that, in 2023, Laois County Council were approved funding of €58,500 for the removal of deadwood/debris and pruning of trees that are causing restrictions on approximately 6.5km of the White Horse River from Mountrath town.