Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 July 2016
58. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 16 of 1 October 2015, the details of increases in investment by his Department in flood mitigation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19729/16]
View answerA provision of €430 million funding for flood risk management was announced in the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 published in September 2015.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2020 |
|
|
Flood Risk Management |
45 |
45 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
This funding is provided to the Office of Public Works (OPW) through the annual Estimates process and allows for a graduated increase in the annual capital allocation to the OPW for flood relief measures from its existing base of €45m to €100m by 2021. The €430 million allocation will enable the OPW to continue with the implementation of its existing programme of flood relief capital works and to commence implementation on a prioritised basis from 2017 onwards of the structural flood defence measures that will be included in the flood risk management plans being prepared under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme including any viable measures identified to address flooding in the coastal locations included in the Programme. These plans are due to be finalised by end 2016.
The CFRAM Programme is the core strategy for addressing flood risk in areas at potentially significant risk from flooding and is the means for implementing the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. The Programme is focussing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding.
Pending the completion of the CFRAM Plans, OPW is continuing with the implementation of its existing comprehensive programme of flood relief Capital Works which includes projects at various stages of design, planning and construction. There are currently seven major schemes at construction in Bray, Co Wicklow, River Dodder, Dublin, South Campshires, Dublin, Ennis Lower, Ennis, Phases 2, 3 and 4 in Waterford City and construction is just underway in Bandon and Skibbereen. There are a further 26 at design and planning stage and it is expected that construction will commence on schemes in Claregalway, Templemore, Dunkellin river and Foynes in 2016.
OPW will also continue its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, which allows local authorities to submit applications for funding to OPW for projects costing under €0.5m and which meet required criteria. €29m has been provided to date for 500 projects under the scheme.
