Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Capital flood relief schemes designed, developed and/or funded by the OPW are subject to an economic appraisal in the form of a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). This has been applied to flood relief projects since the amendment to the Arterial Drainage Act in 1995 that enabled the OPW to progress such schemes. The CBA assesses the benefits of a scheme, expressed as flood damages that would be avoided were the scheme to be built, relative to the cost of the scheme as measured over a 50-year period, to assess value-for-money. The methodology applied to the CBA has evolved over time to include the potential impacts of flooding on infrastructure, emergency services, transport disruption and on people, in terms of stress, ill-health and indirect costs, as well as direct damages to homes and businesses.

With a view to further developing the scope of the CBA process, a review of project appraisal for expenditure in flood risk management was undertaken in 2021 which produced sixty recommendations and a plan was produced for the implementation of relevant recommendations. The plan sets out a three-stage approach to the implementation of the recommendations according to impact and degree of analysis or research required for implementation.

An Interim Technical Guidance Note, available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/b15dd0-technical-specifications-and-guidance-notes/, has been completed for the implementation of the Stage I recommendations, including provision for increased flood damages over time due to climate change and for flood impacts on amenity and tourism. Implementation of the Stage II and III recommendations will commence in 2024.

In relation to the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, applications from local authorities are assessed by the OPW having regard to specific economic, social and environmental criteria, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding. The details of this scheme and the cost benefit criteria applied are available at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/242647-minor-flood-mitigation-works-and-coastal-protection-scheme-explanato/