Written Answers Nos. 76-83
76. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware that a school (details supplied) and playing fields in County Limerick are threatened by erosion caused by the River Galey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27829/15]
View answerMatters concerning river bank erosion do not fall within the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The area in question is not within an Arterial Drainage Scheme maintainable by OPW. Responsibility for the maintenance of the river banks would rest with the land owners concerned.
It is open to Limerick City and County Council to investigate the river bank erosion issue. If a risk of flooding has arisen due to this issue, it is open to the Council to apply to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake flood protection measures. Any application received would be assessed under the eligibility criteria of the Scheme, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. The local authority may also carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.
A national programme of CFRAM Studies, which is being carried out by several engineering consultancies over six regions on behalf of OPW, is focused on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs). The designated AFAs were selected following the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) phase in 2011. Arising from the PFRA, Athea has been designated as one of the AFAs and is being assessed under the Shannon CFRAM Study which OPW is currently undertaking in partnership with the relevant local authorities, including Limerick City and County Council.
Under the Study, draft predictive flood mapping has been produced for Athea. A Public Consultation Day on the draft flood maps was held in Athea on 25 September, 2014. The draft flood maps are currently available for inspection on the Shannon CFRAM Study website www.shannoncframstudy.ie. A national consultation process on the draft flood mapping for the 300 AFAs is scheduled to take place in the autumn. Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the assessment of appropriate flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risk identified. The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences.
77. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the full programme of works for the River Dargle flood prevention works in Bray in County Wicklow, up to and including the date of substantial completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27853/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme in Bray County Wicklow is being undertaken by Wicklow County Council (WCC) as the Contracting Authority with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). Management of the scheme, including the agreement of a Works Programme with the various contractors, rests with WCC.
In general terms WCC advise that good progress is being made with the works which are currently ongoing in five separate locations along the River Dargle, namely Seapoint Court; Bray Bridge to west of Maltings Estate; Ravenswell Road; Coburg to People’s Park; Glenwood to Killarney Glen.
WCC has stated that works (including instream works) will be progressed in these areas throughout the summer and autumn this year, as agreed with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), with "out of river" works continuing throughout the winter months, weather permitting. Instream works will resume in May 2016 in accordance with the requirements of IFI. While the works have been progressing satisfactorily a significant amount of work remains to be carried out for the rest of this year and in 2016. The time-frame for substantial completion is dependent on factors including weather and ground conditions on site. It is envisaged that substantial completion will be achieved by end 2016.
78. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects to publish the new capital investment framework which will include provision for flood relief capital works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27736/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department has led a review of the public capital investment needs of the State for the five year period 2016-2020. The outcome of this review will be set out in the Medium Term Capital Investment Framework Report that will be published when approved by Government. It will outline the capital envelope decided upon by the Government for the period to 2020 and identify priority areas for investment and ensure that our limited resources are focussed on the areas that can best support continued, sustainable and equitable growth. We now expect to publish the review in September, after the Government has considered and made its decisions on future capital investment.
79. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding he will make available for the construction of flood defences and other flood relief measures which will be identified pursuant to the flood risk management plan, pursuant to the west catchment flood risk assessment and management study, which is expected to be published in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27739/15]
View answer80. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way he plans to prioritise the allocation of funding for projects and regions for the construction of flood defences and the implementation of other flood relief measures, as identified in the various flood risk management plans prepared pursuant to the catchment flood risk assessment and management study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27752/15]
View answer81. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide for each of the past five years, the applications that have been received from Mayo County Council pursuant to the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme; the projects and their location; if they were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27753/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 79 to 81, inclusive, together.
Until all the Flood Risk Management Plans, including the Western CFRAM Plan, are developed it is not possible to state the funding to be made available to implement the measures contained in the plans. As regards prioritisation, those schemes and measures offering the greatest benefit relative to cost will generally be those given the highest priority.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is currently being undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders, in line with national flood policy and the EU Directive (2007/EC/60). The six studies in the current Programme will assess flood risk in 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) deemed to be at potentially significant risk and will produce detailed Flood Maps and Flood Risk Management Plans. The Plans will set out specific measures to address the significant flood risk factors in a proactive and comprehensive way.
Draft flood maps have been produced for the AFAs in the Western CFRAM study area and thirty Public Consultation Day events took place during October and November 2014 on these maps. A national consultation process on the draft maps will take place in the autumn. The study is now progressing to examining all options to reduce flood risk, including both structural and non-structural measures. Public Consultation Days on preliminary options to address flood risk have taken place in a number of AFAs in the Western study area. Following finalisation of the mapping and assessment of appropriate flood risk management options, the final output of this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans.
The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences. The Flood Risk Management Plans will provide the information to estimate the associated costs to implement these measures. Regarding prioritisation, those schemes and measures offering the greatest benefit relative to cost will generally be given the highest priority.
Further information on the Western CFRAM Study is available on the study website, www.westcframstudy.ie.
The Office of Public Works has approved funding of €695,470 to Mayo County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme since 2009. Please see details in the following table:
|
Project Location |
Date of Approval |
Approved Funding |
|
2009 |
||
|
Bellavary |
20/10/09 |
€37,845 |
|
Devlin North |
20/10/09 |
€36,000 |
|
Doolough (Coastal) |
30/09/09 |
€45,000 |
|
Downpatrick Head (Coastal) |
30/09/09 |
€45,500 |
|
Green Road, Foxford. |
11/09/09 |
€31,500 |
|
Leenane, Owenwee |
20/10/09 |
€8,000 |
|
Tonrehown |
20/10/09 |
€10,000 |
|
Tullinacurra |
20/10/09 |
€20,000 |
|
2010 |
||
|
Derrygullinan, Cloghans |
01/04/10 |
€31,500 |
|
Dookinelly, Achill Island |
01/06/10 |
€45,000 |
|
Newport |
13/09/10 |
€180,000 |
|
Owenee Lower 1 |
01/04/10 |
€27,900 |
|
Owenee Lower 2 |
01/04/10 |
€24,300 |
|
2011 |
||
|
Dowagh, Ballinrobe |
02/08/11 |
€60,000 |
|
Glenisland River |
11/03/11 |
€21,375 |
|
Rosturk, Mallaranny L54386 Road |
29/06/11 |
€4,500 |
|
Shore Rd, Bunnacurry, Achill Island |
02/08/11 |
€5,400 |
|
2012 |
||
|
Killateeam, Tourmakeady |
23/02/12 |
€16,200 |
|
2014 |
||
|
Ballisnahyny/ Glasvally |
12/06/14 |
€30,600 |
|
Frenchbrook, Kilmaine |
12/06/14 |
€14,850 |
Under the Government Decision of 11 February 2014, funding of up to €4.205m was allocated to Mayo County Council for repair of public coastal protection infrastructure damaged during the severe weather from 13 December, 2013 to 6 January, 2014. Please see details in the following table:
|
Project location |
Date of Approval |
|
L-1833 Bertra Beach |
13/05/14 |
|
Bertra Beach |
13/05/14 |
|
L-54462 Road to Dooagh Pier |
13/05/14 |
|
L-54442 Road at Dooagh |
13/05/14 |
|
L-5437 Road to Roigh Pier |
13/05/14 |
|
L 5283 Road to Fahy Graveyard |
13/05/14 |
|
L- 54398 Road to Mallaranny Pier |
13/05/14 |
|
Newport Quay Wall |
13/05/14 |
|
Innisbiggle |
13/05/14 |
|
Faulmore, Blacksod |
13/05/14 |
|
Cartron, Clogher |
13/05/14 |
|
Uisce |
13/05/14 |
|
Bayview, Binghamstown |
13/05/14 |
|
Bindoola on R313 at Belmullet |
13/05/14 |
|
School Road, Belmullet |
13/05/14 |
|
Shore Road, Belmullet Town |
13/05/14 |
|
Doohoma South Coast |
13/05/14 |
|
Carrowholly, Westport |
13/05/14 |
|
R335 at Deerpark, |
13/05/14 |
|
L-801 Quay Road, Westport |
13/05/14 |
|
L-5839 Rosbeg Road |
13/05/14 |
|
Carpark at the Point on Roman Island |
13/05/14 |
|
L-18012 Rosmalley Road |
13/05/14 |
|
L-5841 Sunnyside, Rosbeg |
13/05/14 |
|
L-1801 Quay Road, Ardmore |
13/05/14 |
|
Devlin |
13/05/14 |
|
Inishnakillew |
13/05/14 |
|
L-1802 Carrowholly, Rusheen |
13/05/14 |
|
Carrowholly Lower |
13/05/14 |
|
Dooagh Carpark |
13/05/14 |
|
Keel Sandybanks |
13/05/14 |
|
L-54443 Road at Dooega Pier |
13/05/14 |
|
Foxpoint |
13/05/14 |
|
Ballina Quay Wall |
20/08/14 |
|
Bulls Mouth Slipway |
20/08/14 |
82. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of each of the current grant schemes that are administrated by his Department and that are available to community groups or projects; the total amount paid for each of these schemes for each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27787/15]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question my Department does not administer any grant schemes to community groups or projects.
83. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding public sector pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27893/15]
View answerIn January 2011, as part of the response to the fiscal crisis then faced by the country, an emergency measure to reduce public service pensions (Public Service Pension Reduction- PSPR) in payment was introduced. A further reduction for higher value pensions was introduced in July 2013.
In welcoming the proposals developed between public service employers and the representative associations and unions for an extension to the Haddington Road Agreement out to September 2018, I indicated that I intended to bring forward separate proposals to Government to provide for a commensurate reduction in the Public Service Pension Reduction as it applies to retired public servants.
In line with my stated commitments I secured Government approval on the 16 June last to move towards reducing the burden of public service pension reductions. In overall terms the proposals agreed in relation to PSPR will remove entirely the lower paid PSPR-affected pensioners (in general those with pre-PSPR pensions of up to €34,132) from the impact of the measure. For those PSPR-affected pensioners not completely removed from the PSPR "net", the changes, when fully implemented in 2018, will in most cases deliver a full year pension boost of €1,680, comprising €400, €500 and €780 on 1 January 2016, 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2018 respectively. The proposals are designed to favour those on lower public service pensions to the greatest extent possible consistent with the requirement to amend the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest legislation on which the Public Service Pension Reduction is statutorily based.
Further details of these agreed measures can be found on my Department's website.
