Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to detail the Government supports being given to Dublin City Council and Dublin South County Council for flood alleviation schemes for the Camac and Poddle rivers. [6479/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW), as the lead agency for flood risk management, is coordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s National Flood Risk Policy. The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the OPW for the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030, including for the Camac and Poddle Flood Relief Schemes.

A key part of the OPW’s role is to oversee and manage the implementation of a programme of investment in capital flood relief works, which includes Local Authorities being the lead authority in the delivery of Flood Relief Schemes. The OPW as approving Authority under the Infrastructure Guidelines, has responsibility for the provision of project funding and project approvals at key milestones, while also providing technical oversight to ensure that the Schemes are designed to an appropriate Standard of Protection.

The OPW is funding 1 staff member in South Dublin County Council. The project Steering Groups for the River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme and the Camac River Flood Alleviation Scheme meet monthly to oversee the delivery of the projects. The OPW is represented on these Steering Groups through the provision of technical and administrative staff.

River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme

The River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme, is led by South Dublin County Council, in conjunction with Dublin City Council. The scheme commenced construction, by OPW's direct labour force, in Q1 2024 and approximately 34% of the works have been completed to date. It is estimated that the construction works will be substantially complete by the end of Q2 2027. When complete, the scheme will provide flood protection against 1 in 100 year flood events to 921 residential and commercial properties; and will be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change. The Total Project Budget for this scheme is estimated at some €21.7m, with total expenditure to the end of 2024 of €4.9m. Updates on the progression of the scheme are available on the scheme's website www.poddlefas.ie/.

Camac River Flood Alleviation Scheme

Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council in partnership with the OPW, have commissioned the Camac River Flood Alleviation Scheme to address flooding within the catchment of the Camac River. Engineering consultants were appointed to the scheme and the scheme is currently at Stage 1: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. Complexity in the development of the model has led to delays in progressing Stage 1. A range of options was presented at Public Consultation Days held on 17th and 18th April 2024. Arising from the information obtained at the Public Consultation Days the consultant is undertaking additional modelling of the catchment which will further inform the options development phase. Updates are available on the scheme website; camacfas.ie/.