I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 to 91, inclusive, together.
The proposed attenuation works in Tymon Park are part of the overall options for dealing with flood risk on the River Poddle identified under an accelerated procedure of the East Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management study and on which the public were consulted in June 2013. South Dublin County Council (SDCC) will take the proposals forward through planning and eventual construction. The Council is currently reviewing the Options Report and it is hoped that the procurement of consultants to undertake the necessary Part 8 Planning and detailed design will be commenced shortly. Once consultants have been appointed a comprehensive programme to take a scheme through construction and an estimate of the associated cost will be developed by the Council. In addition to flood attenuation, the Scheme may involve some downstream defence works.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has given a commitment in principle to the Scheme and has made indicative provision for its cost in its Multi-Annual Capital Budget Profiles for the period 2014-2017. However, construction of the Scheme will be dependent on successful completion of the planning process and the availability of funding at the point when the Scheme is ready to be undertaken.
The OPW understands that the works carried out so far by SDCC have significantly alleviated flood risk in the area but it is not possible to state to what level of flood risk these works protect against. New screens have been placed on the Poddle, with regular cleaning of these screens being undertaken by the Council. Remote monitoring of two of these screens is also taking place, which allows the Council to react swiftly to any noticeable problem. In addition, the river bed and banks have been cleaned from Tymon Park to Kimmage Manor and down to Kimmage Road West, which has led to improved flood flow. However, properties will still be at risk until the scheme is undertaken, and the Council is aware of the need to continue with regular maintenance and monitoring in the interim period.
As indicated already, the Council is not in a position yet to confirm when works will be undertaken on the scheme. However, when the works are completed the details will be provided to the insurance industry in accordance with the recently agreed Memorandum of Understanding which covers completed flood defence schemes. The scheme will provide protection against a flood with a 1% probability of occurring in a given year, commonly referred to as a 100 year flood event. This should lead to residents being able to avail of flood cover again, although the provision of cover in any case will remain a matter for the insurance companies.
