Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2016
12. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects to approve the final flood risk management plans for the Wad, Santry, Moyne and other rivers and streams in Dublin Bay North following this summer's public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36367/16]
View answerI thank the Minister for his comments. As he knows, I tried to balance the proposed budget.
In fact, I gave him a surplus of approximately €4 billion.
With a hint of neo-liberalism about it.
God forbid.
I hope there was not. I would have balanced the books.
The Deputy will have to look at it again.
This question is about the ongoing work under the CFRAM programme which started in 2011. I have attended some of the meetings as part of the consultation process in Dublin Bay North. We have had problems with a number of rivers. I have mentioned the River Wad, in particular, with the River Naniken, the Santry River, also known as the River Raheny and the River Moyne, as well as the area of Dublin Bay in Clontarf. I ask for an update on what the Minister of State is doing about flooding in these areas.
The core strategy for addressing areas potentially at significant risk from flooding is the OPW's catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme. A total of 300 locations nationwide are being assessed under the programme which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities.
The CFRAM programme is being completed in six study areas, including the eastern catchment flood risk assessment and management study. The programme is the biggest flood risk planning exercise ever undertaken by the State. A national public consultation process on the draft flood maps ended on 23 December 2015. The programme also involves the development of preliminary flood risk management options and flood risk management plans. The statutory public consultation process for the draft flood risk management plans for the eastern CFRAM programme will close on 2 December and the comments received will inform the finalisation of the plans in spring 2017. The plans include a prioritised list of feasible measures, both structural and non-structural.
One of the worst things that can happen to any individual or family is for their house to be flooded. Those of us who have been fortunate enough not to have experienced it are deeply sympathetic. I heard the Minister of State and Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran speak about their plans in the midlands and along the River Shannon and commend them warmly for them and bringing forward the sum of €100 million. What people went through in the bad years of 2011 and 2014 was totally intolerable. Baldoyle in my constituency is a polder which is below sea level and because of the topography in some adjoining areas there is a move to provide for flood relief measures. I hope the Minister of State will be supportive. The Naniken and Wad rivers which run through Artane and Donnycarney flooded badly in 2014. The River Moyne also has a long history of flooding and some works were carried out by previous Governments. The Minister of State has been moving to deal with the problems in Clontarf. One might not think those living in an urban constituency would have such an interest in flooding but we do. I warmly commend the Minister of State and Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran who speak at great length and with precision about this problem.
I thank the Deputy for his kind comments. There is a whole-of-government approach; it does not involve only me in the Office of Public Works. I commend the entire Government for the approach taken to dealing with flooding. The investment has been laid out. Some minor works schemes, of which the Deputy may or may not be aware, have been carried out and will continue. They take place to provide instant relief. Where there is flooding and people are suffering, urban and rural areas are treated in the same way. When the CFRAM process is complete, we will start early next year with the rural CFRAM programme which will concentrate on areas of population and where properties are most at risk. We have identified 300 areas.
