Mick Wallace
Question:172. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his response to the ongoing flooding, particularly in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2002/16]
View answerTuesday, 19 January 2016
Questions (172)
Written answers
The unprecedented rainfall in December led to extensive flooding across the country including in Co. Wexford.
A flood relief scheme is being progressed by Wexford County Council for Enniscorthy. The River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Flood Relief Scheme was publicly exhibited in 2009 but due to significant local opposition did not proceed to Confirmation stage at that point. Taking on board comments received during the exhibition, amendments were made to the outline design. Consultants were recently appointed by the Council to complete the detailed design both for the flood defences and the new bridge. It is hoped to have the designs completed mid-2016 and pending any objections following further public consultation, the scheme will be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for confirmation. It is hoped to be in a position to appoint contractors early in 2017.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is currently being undertaken by the OPW in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders, in line with national flood policy and the EU Directive (2007/EC/60). The South Eastern CFRAM Study is one of six regional studies that are assessing flood risk in 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) deemed to be at potentially significant risk and impact from flooding. Good progress is being made on the Study which is assessing the areas of Blackwater, Bunclody, Courtown, Gorey, Kilmore, New Ross & Environs and Wexford including the North & South Slobs.
Enniscorthy is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) under the South Eastern CFRAM study. The flood relief scheme for this location will cover the River Slaney within the town centre. An area called Cherry Orchard is within Enniscorthy AFA and is located on the Urrin, a tributary of the Slaney. The South Eastern CFRAM Study has developed mapping and will pursue options to address flood risk, for the Cherry Orchard location, separate to the Flood Relief Scheme.
Flood Maps for these AFAs will be finalised shortly and are being informed by a local Public Consultation held in March 2015 and a Statutory Public Consultation that closed in December 2015.
Work on the identification of appropriate and feasible flood risk management options is underway. A local Public Consultation on the options for Wexford and the North and South Slobs was held on 15 December and local consultations for other Co. Wexford AFAs are being scheduled for the coming weeks. Further information is available on www.southeastcframstudy.ie.
Following the identification of feasible flood risk management options, Flood Risk Management Plans will be prepared and published for public consultation during summer 2016. The Plans will set out specific measures to address the significant flood risk factors in a proactive and comprehensive way. The Government recently announced €430m for capital flood relief works as part of the overall Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021. This increased level of funding will allow for the prioritised investment for the Flood Risk Management Plans over the coming years.
Identifying and addressing localised flooding is a matter for Wexford County Council in the first instance. It is open to the Council to undertake any local flood mitigation works using its own resources or to submit an application for funding, if necessary, under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the scheme's eligibility criteria available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.
The OPW carries out its own programme of Arterial Drainage Maintenance in the county. These maintenance works relate to arterial drainage schemes (Ballyteigue/Kilmore and Owenavarragh) completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, whose purpose was primarily to improve the drainage of agricultural lands. Wexford County Council is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of certain watercourses within Drainage Districts in the county for arterial drainage works completed prior to 1945.