Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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379. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the flood relief works currently ongoing at present that are being funded by the OPW; when each of those flood relief works will be completed, in tabular form. [48409/25]

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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380. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the flood relief projects currently funded by OPW and that are currently undergoing construction; and when each of those projects will be completed, in tabular form. [48436/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together.

In 2018, the Office of Public Works (OPW) completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State: the national Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can provide protection against over 95% of that risk. Some 150 new and additional flood relief schemes were identified through this Programme.

Nationally, 56 schemes have been completed to date which are providing protection to some 13,580 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway. The Springfield Flood Relief Scheme in County Clare has recently reached completion, and 21 properties are now benefitting from the project.

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

There are currently 10 flood relief schemes at Implementation / Construction (Stage IV): Athlone; Crossmolina; Glashaboy; King’s Island; Morell River; Morrison’s Island; the Poddle River; the River Wad; Templemore; and Whitechurch Flood Relief Schemes.

The implementation of flood relief projects is a very complex process with significant challenges. Major flood relief schemes are large multiannual projects and involve complex engineering and construction operations that can impact on people's living, built and natural environment. They entail extensive landowner and stakeholder engagement and detailed environmental assessments and mitigation measures. Detailed technical analysis is required to establish the most appropriate solution, technically and environmentally, from a range of possible design options. The delivery process is lengthy and follows a number of stages, from feasibility through design, planning, detailed design and construction.

It is also worth noting that local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and each Local Authority may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.

Local Authorities may also apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Following a recent announcement, an increase in funding supports is to be made available to Local Authorities under the Minor Works Scheme, including an increase in the upper Minor Works threshold from €750,000 to €2,000,000, which will facilitate an increase in the scale of works that may be funded and with the aim of improving the range of supports available under the scheme. The OPW will issue further details of the revisions to the Scheme to Local Authorities over the coming weeks.

A tabulated list of active Major Schemes that are currently at Stage IV: Implementation / Construction (Table 1) and their respective provisional dates for reaching substantial completion is provided below.

Table 1. Active Major Flood Relief Schemes at Stage IV: Implementation / Construction