Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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503.To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide a full update on the delivery of the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme for the Fingal County Council administrative area, further to the most recent flooding events in the area; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33175/24]

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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504.To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide a full update on the delivery of the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme for the Dublin City Council administrative area, further to the most recent flooding events in the area; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33176/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together.

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.

In 2018, 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.

Since 2018, a phased approach to scheme delivery, in partnership with Local Authorities, has allowed the OPW to treble the number of schemes at design or construction at this time to some 100 schemes. As well as a financial commitment to meet costs, progressing this significantly increased number of flood relief schemes requires capacity and capability in highly specialized areas of engineering, such as hydrology.

Since 1995, the OPW has invested some €550m in 55 completed schemes that are providing protection to over 13,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of these flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.

Flood relief schemes are large, complex, multiannual projects. They require detailed analysis of the sources and causes of flooding. They involve extensive landowner and stakeholder engagement and detailed environmental assessments and mitigation measures. While expenditure on each project in any year is dependent on many variables, the majority of expenditure for flood relief projects is incurred during the construction phase. Throughout the scheme-delivery stages, project budgets of flood relief schemes are continually monitored and reviewed by the OPW and the local authorities, that are typically the contracting authority for engineering and environmental consultants and contractors.

Delivery of flood relief schemes is a complicated process which has five distinct stages which are as follows;

Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design

Stage II: Planning Process, Public Exhibition / Confirmation

Stage III: Detailed Design

Stage IV: Implementation/Construction

Stage V: Handover of Works

The current status of projects within the Dublin City Council administrative area is set out below.

Camac River Flood Alleviation Scheme

The flood alleviation scheme for the Camac River is currently at Stage I and is being progressed through Part 10 of the Planning and Development Regulations. A public consultation day was held in April 2024 where the consultant presented details on the emerging flood alleviation measures and options. As the preferred options become clearer, additional environmental surveys will be considered. It is envisaged the scheme will progress to Stage II towards the end of 2025.

Clontarf Promenade

DCC is currently engaging with the OPW regarding the development of a project brief for the appointment of consultants to progress works on the Clontarf Promenade, and will seek to procure consultants through its Multi Party Framework Agreement for Consultant Engineering Design Services for Flood Alleviation Projects.

Dodder Phase 3 Flood Relief Scheme

Phase 2C, 2D and 2E of the flood relief scheme reached substantial completion in 2023. Dublin City Council, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are now advancing with Phase 3 of the River Dodder Flood Relief Scheme. Phase 3 is currently at Stage I and is being progressed through Part 10 of the Planning and Development Regulations. A public consultation day was held in June 2023. Options development continues, in order to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. It is envisaged the scheme will progress to Stage II towards the latter half of 2025.

Dublin City (River Wad – Phase 1B) Flood Relief Scheme

The OPW and Dublin City Council are currently progressing the works on Phase 1B of the Wad River Flood Relief Scheme. The scheme is currently at Stage III. Dublin City Council have advertised to procure contractors to commence flood alleviation works. It is anticipated that works should commence by Q1/2025.

Sandymount (Phase 1 & 2) Flood Relief Scheme

The development of a detailed project programme for the Sandymount Flood Relief Scheme will commence following the appointment of a consultant. Following the appointment of an engineering and environmental consultant, the scheme will progress to Stage I. This appointment is expected to be made by Dublin City Council in the coming weeks. The Council is also establishing a Consultative Forum to inform the progress of this scheme and other capital projects in the Sandymount area.

The current status of projects within the Fingal County Council administrative area is set out below.

Malahide

A proposed flood relief scheme is at scoping stage, and may include, rehabilitating and raising existing coastal defences, construction of flood defence embankment on the Sluice River together with construction of demountable flood defences at the railway underpass along with embankments. Studies are ongoing to identify a scheme that is expected to provide protection against a 100-Year flood (1% Annual Exceedance Probability) for fluvial flooding.

Portmarnock (Strand Road)

A proposed flood relief scheme is at scoping stage and may include, rehabilitating and raising existing coastal defences, construction of a flood defence embankment and construction of demountable flood defences. Studies are ongoing to identify a scheme that is expected to provide protection against a 100-Year flood (1% Annual Exceedance Probability) for fluvial flooding.

Skerries (Mill Stream)

A proposed flood relief scheme for Skerries (Mill Stream) is undergoing a Scheme Viability Review, which has commenced, and the results of the review will be discussed and progressed with Fingal County Council. The purpose of an SVR is to determine whether or not potential schemes should be taken to full Flood Relief Scheme (FRS) project stages.

Sutton and Howth

The OPW is also engaging with Fingal County Council regarding the Sutton and Howth North Flood Relief Scheme. A potential solution to flooding in this area was identified under the CFRAM Programme. While this scheme was not in the first tranche of schemes prioritised to be progressed, nationally, following the launch of the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP) in 2018, there is a commitment by Government to progress this scheme under the National Development Plan.

Further information for all flood relief schemes is available at www.floodinfo.ie/scheme-info/