Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2018
36. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood relief plans for areas in south County Kildare (details supplied); when they will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21644/18]
View answerThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk. The CFRAM programme culminated with the launch by me in Athlone on 3 May, 2018 of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans which proposed 118 new outline flood relief projects on top of the 42 major projects already completed and the 33 major schemes within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public works (OPW).
I was delighted to be able to launch the Plans with the Taoiseach and to announce a major 10 year €1 billion programme of investment in flood relief measures. I also said on the day of the launch that it would not be possible to implement all of the capital projects in one go and that a phased approach was necessary. In that regard I also announced funding of €257 million for an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country which would be progressed to detailed design and construction, including the 5 largest schemes identified in the Plans and 31 small or minor projects under €1 million which will be progressed directly by the local authorities.
Flood relief projects have been identified in the Plans for both Newbridge and Athy. Neither area is in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, but I can give my assurance that the OPW and the local authority will work closely to ensure that both will be commenced in the coming years and within the 10 year timeframe for the programme of investment.
In relation to Castledermot and Suncroft, potentially viable structural flood relief measures have been investigated and technically viable flood relief schemes have been identified. However, a more detailed assessment of the costs and benefits will have to be completed to determine if the proposed Schemes are feasible. This further assessment will commence later this year.
The allocation of almost €1 billion by the Government in the National Development Plan up to 2027 for flood risk management will allow the annual allocation for flood risk measures increase from almost €70m in 2018 to €100m per annum by 2021 and thereafter.
