Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
343. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which ongoing action is planned in respect of areas that have previously suffered from flooding, coastal erosion or damage from storms and floods with particular reference to the need to carry out a proper drainage assessment thereby eliminating the potential for such flooding in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34846/14]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is of the utmost importance and the problem of flooding in Ireland is being addressed through the Office of Public Work's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. This is a major national programme under which the most comprehensive assessment of flood risk in the country to date is being undertaken.
The purpose of the CFRAM Programme is to:
- assess and map the existing and potential significant flood hazard and risk within the study areas,
- build the strategic information base necessary for making informed decisions in relation to managing flood risk,
- identify viable structural and non-structural measures and options for managing the flood risks for localised high-risk areas and within each river catchment as a whole.
- There are three main stages in the Programme; each involving public consultation:
- Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment - complete
- Flood Hazard Mapping (2013 - 2014)
- Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans (2015)
The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for State investment in flood defences on a systematic and objective basis using Multi-Criteria Analysis. More information on the Programme is available on www.cfram.ie.
Pending the completion of the CFRAM Programme, the OPW is continuing with its programme of major flood relief schemes. These schemes are focused on locations throughout the country where significant flood events have occurred in the past. Cost benefit analysis is the standard methodology used to determine priorities and for selection of major schemes. Benefits are measured in terms of the damage and loss avoided. Details of major schemes are available on www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management.
Identification and assessment of flood risk at local level within each county is a matter for the local authority concerned. It is open to local authorities to apply for funding under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme, introduced in 2009. The Scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Applications for funding are considered having regard to assessment criteria including a minimum benefit to cost ratio of 1.5:1 and the availability of funds.
The Government decided on 11th February 2014 to allocate up to €69.5 million for repair and remediation of public infrastructure that was damaged by severe weather in the period 13th December 2013 to 6th 2014 January.
Of the figure of €69.5 million, up to €19.6 million was allocated for repair by local authorities of existing built coastal protection and flood defences in the affected areas, based on estimates submitted by them to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. This funding is being made available to the local authorities through the OPW on the basis of approved programmes of works. The commencement and progression of the works is a matter for the local authorities.
OPW has been allocated a total of €225m for Flood Risk Management for the period 2012 - 2016. This allocation will allow OPW to continue to progress its current programmes including major flood relief schemes, the Minor Works & Coastal Protection Scheme and the CFRAM Programme.
