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Flood Prevention Measures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 January 2021

Thursday, 14 January 2021

Questions (80, 81, 82, 83)

Denis Naughten

Question:

80. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will reopen the voluntary homeowners relocation scheme for those with primary residential properties which have been flooded due to turloughs and rising ground water in addition to those flooded in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2048/21]

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Denis Naughten

Question:

81. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to review the cost-benefit analysis for flood relief works to incorporate turlough flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2049/21]

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Denis Naughten

Question:

82. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address the serious flooding currently threatening homes and farm buildings due to the overflow of the former turlough at Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon which is now effectively a continually rising lake with no outlet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2050/21]

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Denis Naughten

Question:

83. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of voluntary home relocations that have been completed to date; the total cost of the completed relocations; if the amount has been incorporated into the CBA for flood mitigation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2066/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 81, 82 and 83 together.

In relation to Lough Funshinagh, a range of flood mitigation options were considered.  It was determined that the options were not economically or environmentally sustainable.  These extreme high water levels, while rare, are within the naturally occurring range.  There is no evidence to suggest that the flooding was due to an abnormal decrease in the outflow rate from the Lough other than that due to possible seasonal variation in the subsurface water level.  It remains open to Roscommon County Council to make an application under the Minor Works Flood Mitigation Scheme should further measures be identified in the future that meet the Scheme criteria to mitigate flooding.  It is understood that a meeting will be convened with all of the relevant stakeholders shortly. 

The Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme was introduced by the Government to address the very serious flooding of those properties that flooded in the Winter of 2015/16, including those properties flooded by turloughs. To date, 7 homeowners in the State have received Humanitarian Assistance in the sum of €1,674,861 which has enabled them to relocate and purchase a replacement dwelling house under the Scheme.  A further 28 other applicants are at various stages in progressing through the Scheme, including considering possible engineering solutions.  I have no proposals to amend the Scheme at this time.  

I understand that the introduction of a voluntary farm building relocation scheme is being progressed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

I am advised by my Office that it has commissioned a report on options and recommendations, within the parameters of the Public Spending Code, for the future economic appraisal of investment in capital flood relief schemes.  This report will help to inform consideration by the OPW of the circumstances in which the existing economic appraisal may not reflect the full value of the scheme.

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