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Flood Risk Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Questions (101)

Holly Cairns

Question:

101. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the policies and procedures that ensure there is a coherent whole-of-Government approach to flooding as outlined in the annual transition statement. [12653/20]

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Written answers

The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group was established to co-ordinate and inform the implementation of the 2004 National Flood Policy.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) chairs this Group, that meets twice yearly, and is leading a proactive and whole of Government response to flooding, across three strategic areas,

- Prevention - avoiding construction in flood-prone areas.

- Protection - taking feasible measures to protect areas against flooding.

- Preparedness - planning and responding to reduce the impacts of flood events.

To date the implementation of the Government's whole of Government approach to flood risk has delivered many sector led initiatives, including 2009 statutory planning guidelines and emergency response structures in preparing for and responding to a flood event. In 2018 Mr. Kevin Boxer Moran TD, Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Office of Public Works and Flood Relief published Implementing National Flood Risk Policy. This publications sets out the cross sectoral measures to manage flood risk in place and under development at that time.

The Group also set the direction for the development of the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM programme was the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State and assessed the flood risk for two thirds of the population. It produced the Flood Risk Management Plans and the evidence to support €1bn investment in flood relief under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project 2040.

The Group also co-ordinated Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for flood risk management in line with its requirements under the National Adaptation Framework. The Plan, approved by Government in October 2019, sets out the cross sectoral impacts of climate change on flood risk. The long-term goal adopted on climate adaptation for flooding and flood risk management and set out in the Plan is to promote sustainable communities and support our environment through the effective management of the potential impacts of climate change on flooding and flood risk. To deliver on this goal, the Government has approved 21 actions across flood risk prevention, protection and preparedness, as well as further research and capacity building.

The Government’s whole of Government approach to flood risk management is in line with international best practice and has been independently endorsed by Dutch experts.

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