Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason there was an underspend of €7.8 million in flood defences in 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68860/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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In 2018, to establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State: the 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 protect over 95% of that risk. Some 150 new and additional flood relief schemes were identified through this Programme.

The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of these flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk.

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. While the OPW strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with minimum delay, major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations that can impact on people's living, built and natural environment and, therefore, require lengthy planning and decision lead-in times.

Anticipated expenditure in any given year is not without risk and is dependent on a number of factors that can affect total spend. Delays against profiled programme expenditure can occur due to a variety of constraints and factors, including: demand in the market for highly specialised surveys; extended timeframes for planning decisions and Judicial Review processes; and extensive and detailed environmental assessments.

Expenditure in the earlier stages of a project represents a small proportion of the overall budget of a flood relief scheme. Schemes at construction incur the greatest expenditure, and there is no legislative or regulatory means of fast-tracking schemes to this stage.

The Deputy's question relates to the A.5 Flood Risk Management subhead of Vote 13 (Office of Public Works). The total original allocation for Flood Risk Management in 2024 was €82.71m (Capital €77m and Pay €5.71m), which was adjusted downwards to €80.91m in the Supplementary Estimates in September 2024. This revision was largely due to later than anticipated progression of schemes to construction stage during the year.

Ultimately, expenditure to the end of December 2024 was €74.91m, which was notably ahead of expenditure in 2023 (€59.2m), by €15.71m, and was the highest annual OPW expenditure on Flood Risk Management to that date.

It is anticipated that the strong pipeline of future schemes will increase the number of schemes reaching construction, thereby increasing the programme expenditure to 2030.

The OPW engages with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on an ongoing basis regarding the Capital and Current funding required under the National Development Plan to 2030, and through the annual budgetary process, to ensure that adequate funding is available to continue to progress the programme of delivery of flood relief schemes.