Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2016
173. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will introduce a grant scheme for flood relief and prevention measures for households and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2003/16]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme throughout the country. The Programme involves an assessment of 300 locations nationwide including 90 coastal locations, the mapping of potentially significant flood risk areas and the production of flood risk management options and plans. These draft Flood Risk Management Plans are due to be published in mid-2016 for public consultation.
In the context of the CFRAM Programme, the Government announced two pilot Individual Property Protection (IPP) projects on 5 January 2015. These are community based pilots to inform the mechanism to deliver IPP, as part of a community based approach or scheme and also the potential costs and benefits attached to IPP for areas where a flood defence scheme is not likely to be completed for some time.
These pilots are:
- a feasibility study in Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh, where Kilkenny County Council has procured consultants to carry out the study that are due to be appointed in January 2016. The consultants will survey each property to establish potential and appropriate IPP options for the community. The development of all possible feasible flood defence options for these towns is an ongoing part of the CFRAM process, and
- Mayo County Council is considering the potential viability of a scheme for the installation of flood gates for some properties, identified by the community in Crossmolina, as an interim measure to help mitigate any further flood damage pending the completion of the defence scheme for the town.
The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group is considering the potential costs and benefits associated with any targeted individual property protection scheme that could benefit those isolated properties, as distinct from the community based approach being piloted.
Evaluation of these pilots and the work by the Interdepartmental Co-ordination Group will, in time, inform Government of the merits of any possible targeted grant scheme for flood relief and prevention measures for households and businesses.
