Thursday, 14 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 81-100

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (81)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

81. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are supports available to a business owner in circumstances (details supplied). [50252/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The financial support the Government provided to businesses and workers affected by the pandemic was unprecedented. Supports for business included the weekly CRSS payment for businesses forced to close their doors to the public, the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the Restart Grant Plus and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) both now closed, reduced VAT rates, a commercial rates holiday, deferred tax liabilities as well as low-cost loans. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.

As the company referred to by the Deputy is no longer trading I would refer you to Revenue for insolvency advice Insolvency (revenue.ie).

I appreciate the immense impact the pandemic has had on our society, businesses and workers and I remain committed to a jobs lead recovery. With that in mind I would encourage any businesses that have ceased trading, if interested, to consider trying again and would urge them to contact their Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

The LEO network provide advice, guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone intending to start, restart or grow a business, and a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State supports available through agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Education and Training Boards, the Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland.

Microfinance Ireland (MFI) provides loans to new businesses or those who are in operation for less than 18 months. The MFI Start Up Loan is available to help get businesses up and running. It is available to sole traders, partnerships or limited companies from any business sector. The loan allows start-ups to plan their finance commitments during the important early stage of business development.

Loans are from €5,000 – €25,000 and support the set-up and early-stage phase of a new business up to 18 months with a 3-year max term. The first 3 months are interest only payments and there are no fees or hidden costs. Also included is invaluable mentoring support from an experienced business mentor on the LEO Mentor Panel. Mentoring is a vital extra support tool to help early-stage businesses.

Departmental Properties

Questions (82)

Emer Higgins

Question:

82. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a list of buildings either owned or managed by her Department in Blanchardstown village, Dublin 15; and if they are currently being used. [50318/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Accommodation for my Department and its Offices is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by the OPW on our behalf. Neither the Department nor any of its Offices occupy any buildings in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (83)

Emer Higgins

Question:

83. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there will be a review of the application of the Workplace Relations Commission code of conduct on the right to disconnect by either the Workplace Relations Commission or his Department to examine the number of workplaces that have adopted it and the way they it is applied in practice; and the monitoring and evaluation of the policy that is being conducted. [50327/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

In January 2021, the European Parliament published a proposed new directive on an EU-wide ‘right to disconnect’. Whilst it may be some time before we see progress on this at a European level, I wanted to progress at a national level our commitment in the Programme for Government to bring forward proposals on a right to disconnect.

In November 2020, I requested that the WRC prepare a draft Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect, in accordance with section 20 (2) of the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect was launched on 1st April 2021. It is too early to review its application, though I am open to doing so at a later stage.

Employers, employees, and their representative bodies find Codes of Practice particularly useful as reference points and they often serve as the basis for internal policies and procedures within firms and across sectors. While failure to follow a Code prepared under section 20(1)(a) of the Workplace Relations Act, 2015 is not an offence in itself, section 20(9) provides that in any proceedings before a Court, the Labour Court or the WRC, a Code of Practice shall be admissible in evidence and any provision of the Code which appears to the court, body or officer concerned to be relevant to any question arising in the proceedings shall be considered in determining that question.

In tandem with the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect my Department and the agencies under its remit are driving the implementation of actions under the National Remote Work Strategy. Each action in the Strategy has been attributed to lead actors across government for delivery and each action is scheduled to be delivered by the end of this year.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (84)

Michael McNamara

Question:

84. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the provision of fibre broadband to a property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50187/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Telecommunications service providers are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which operates independently of my Department.  The telecommunications regulatory framework, which ComReg implements, requires each telecommunications services provider to establish and operate a code of practice, including requirements for complaint handling and means of contact.  Service providers must implement these measures, at a minimum, to assist consumers (including businesses) when they need to contact them with a complaint. A copy of the code of practice, which includes the three ways in which consumers can contact service providers, one of which is by electronic means of contact such as an email address or an online complaint form, can be accessed at: www.comreg.ie/code-practice-handling-complaints/. Any operator failing to comply with any of these requirements is a matter to be pursued by ComReg.

My Department will bring this matter to the attention of ComReg in its role as independent telecommunications regulator. 

Energy Policy

Questions (85)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

85. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the policy position of his Department in relation to the storage of electricity particularly that generated from renewable sources; if he has a specific position on encouraging the development of pumped hydro storage as an integral part of improving the robustness the national grid and as a means of storing excess renewable energy that may arise from wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50240/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

With the Government’s commitment of increasing the electricity it generates from renewables by up to 80 per cent by 2030, a coordinated programme of investment in grid-scale renewable electricity generation and storage will be essential to ensure security of supply.I am acutely aware of the critical role of energy storage in supporting a green energy system through appropriate market investment signals. My Department is developing rules on how hybrid renewable storage projects may be facilitated to participate in the second Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction, the terms and conditions of which are currently being finalised. The need for more energy storage is recognised in the Programme for Government, which includes a commitment to strengthen the policy framework to incentivise electricity storage, as well as interconnection. The 2021 Climate Action Plan which I will shortly bring to Government will set out further actions to address energy storage. The development of electricity storage in Ireland, including pumped hydro, will also continue to be facilitated through designation of EU Project of Common Interest (PCI) status, as provided for by the EU TEN-E Regulation.

Energy Policy

Questions (86)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

86. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his interpretation of directive 2003/54/EC and the classification of pumped hydropower storage systems such as Turlough Hill as electricity generation facilities; if engagement has occurred with the European Commission on reclassifying facilities such as these as grid infrastructure that act as batteries or strategic services for the purposes of the grid operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50241/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Directive 2003/54/EC formed part of the EU’s Second Energy Package and was repealed by Directive 2009/72/EC, which in turn was recast by Directive (EU) 2019/944 (Electricity Directive) as part of the EU’s Clean Energy Package. The issue of the classification or reclassification of electricity generation facilities arises in various contexts, and, as such, there are a number of possibilities that could be the focus of the deputy’s question.

The classification referred to by the Deputy may refer to the regulatory licensing regime. Under section 14(1) of the Electricity Regulation Act, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has the sole statutory function to issue licences to, inter alia, any person to generate electricity or to carry out other electricity market functions, such as discharging the functions of grid operation.  The CRU is the independent regulator in Ireland, and is accountable to the Oireachtas for the performance of its functions.

The subject matter of the Deputy's question may draw from separate provisions in the 2019 Electricity Directive which requires that neither transmission nor distribution system operators own energy storage facilities. The CRU, as the independent regulator, carried out a review of these requirements in 2020. Through this regulatory exercise, it was confirmed that both ESBN and EirGrid meet these requirements, specifically that they do not own such storage facilities, and that there is therefore no further work needed with regards to these provisions.

I have no role in respect of the licencing matters referenced above.  I am not aware of any engagement by my Department with the European Commission on reclassifying facilities such as pumped hydropower storage systems as grid infrastructure for the purposes of the grid operator, as set out by the Deputy.  

Departmental Properties

Questions (87)

Emer Higgins

Question:

87. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of buildings either owned or managed by his Department in Blanchardstown village, Dublin 15; and if they are currently being used. [50320/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department does not own or manage any property in Blanchardstown Village in Dublin 15.

Aviation Industry

Questions (88, 89)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

88. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if he has received lobbying from air traffic controller representative groups requesting his intervention and calling for an external investigation of the governance and management structures of the Irish Aviation Authority; the response taken to date by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50178/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

89. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the status of the appointment of an external mediator in the Irish Airport Authority as opposed to relying on the internal dispute resolution mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50180/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.

I can confirm that I have received representations from a significant number of individual air traffic controllers concerning workplace issues within the Irish Aviation Authority.

My Department has sought and received briefing on the issues raised from the IAA Executive and the independent Aviation Regulator who is charged with the safety oversight of civil aviation in Ireland.

The Regulator has confirmed, that in line with EU Regulation (EU) 2017/373 setting out the common requirements for safety management systems for air navigation service providers throughout Europe and for the oversight by Aviation Regulators of the implementation of such systems, that the required air traffic control safety management systems are in place in the IAA and that they are functioning as appropriate.

In respect to the call for an external mediator to intervene in workplace issues within the IAA, it is commonly accepted practice within the commercial semi-State sector that the resolution of any such issues falls in the first instance to be addressed by the Board and Executive of the body concerned.

As with issues of this kind, it is in the best interests of all parties involved to use established dispute resolution processes, which I understand in the IAA's case includes the longstanding Internal Dispute Resolution Board mechanism which was established with the agreement of all unions within the IAA. I understand that the IAA and unions are open to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at resolving the concerns raised in recent weeks. I would therefore urge all parties to continue to maintain open and constructive lines of communication to ensure that a satisfactory resolution can be found.

Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 88.

National Car Test

Questions (90)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

90. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding NCT certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50217/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

All Member States of the European Union are required by law to carry out periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles at regular intervals throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. Under Regulation 3(2) of the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415 of 2017), all test due dates are predetermined based on the date of registration of a vehicle. The initial test due date for a vehicle is determined using the date of registration of that vehicle and subsequent test due dates fall on anniversaries of that date.

As the Deputy has indicated, the Road Traffic (National Car Test) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 provided for a four-month extension to test due dates for vehicles with a test certificate in force on 28 March 2020, or to vehicles with a first test due falling during the period beginning on 28 March 2020 and ending on 31 July 2020. This extension was granted to mitigate the anticipated backlog due to the temporary closure of test centres under Covid restrictions at the time.

Whether or not a vehicle will be given a two-year test certificate or a one-year test certificate has not been affected by the application of the extension. The date for testing continues to be the anniversary of the date of registration, with four months added for applicable vehicles.

The Deputy will note that operation of the National Car Test Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and as Minister I have no role in individual cases. I would advise vehicle owners contact the Authority directly for information regarding the status of their NCT.

Driver Licences

Questions (91)

Neale Richmond

Question:

91. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will allow those with driver’s licences that have been automatically extended to be renewed before the six-month window; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50231/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Under the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (Statutory Instrument No. 537 of 2006), a driving licence may not be renewed more that 3 months before the date of expiry of the licence. It is not my intention to change this regulation at this time.

Transport Policy

Questions (92)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

92. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a full breakdown on the progress or lack thereof in respect of the NTA Active Travel Investment Programme projects (details supplied) in County Louth which were allocated €4.6 million in funding in March 2021; if the updates can be provided on a project by project basis; the total funding that the council has drawn down to date or lack thereof for each project and any other relevant details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50250/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The Programme for Government committed that approximately €360 million in cross-Government funding will be spent on walking and cycling per annum over the lifetime of the Government. This investment will help support the delivery of around 1,000 kilometres of improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025 as well as additional investment in Greenways.

I was delighted to announce earlier this year an allocation of €72.8m for 340 sustainable transport projects in 19 local authorities, including €4.6m to Louth County Council which is referred to by the Deputy.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the development of policy and provision of funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA), meanwhile, has responsibility for the allocation of funding to specific projects and oversight of their development, in cooperation with the local authorities themselves. Given their responsibility in this area, I have referred your question about the Active Travel Programme in Co. Louth to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Coast Guard Service

Questions (93)

Dara Calleary

Question:

93. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the actions he has taken to address difficulties within the Irish Coast Guard; if his attention has been drawn to the expenditure of €140,000 by the Irish Coast Guard on training and mediation support; his views on whether the current situation is entirely unsatisfactory; and if he will outline a process to address the grievances highlighted by an organisation (details supplied). [50257/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is committed to supporting the near 900 dedicated volunteers who help provide the important and life-saving services of the IRCG. In regard to representation within the volunteer cadre of the Coast Guard, the Coastal Unit Advisory Group has been in existence for over 20 years. The Coastal Unit Advisory Group (CUAG) is the dedicated body in place, made up of elected volunteers and full time staff to represent the interests of the Coast Guard volunteers. Recent press coverage includes accounts of volunteers who have either been dismissed from the organisation or have resigned. While managing nearly 900 volunteers HR issues are bound to arise. The Coast Guard's Code was recently reviewed by an external professional HR consultancy and its procedures are deemed to be best practice. In the event of difficult HR cases external professional advice is sought to assist with the cases and adherence with procedures and also to provide mediation or team building and training on HR management.

Public Transport

Questions (94)

Brendan Smith

Question:

94. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that a transport service (details supplied) will be provided at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50328/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport nationally. It also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which now operates under the Local Link brand.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities in the matters raised by the Deputy, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Road Projects

Questions (95)

Brendan Smith

Question:

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided to undertake the necessary preparatory work for the upgrade of a road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50348/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works is a matter for decision by the local authority.

My Department is currently liaising with Cavan County Council in relation to carrying out a risk based analysis for the Cavan to Dundalk section of the proposed east-west route. Cavan County Council received an allocation of €130,000 this year to enable the Council to continue the analysis which is expected to be completed in 2021. Future options in relation to the scheme will then be considered.

The details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Tax Code

Questions (96)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

96. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to include special needs assistants on the list of professions entitled to claim flat rate expenses; the reason this profession has not been included in the list to date in view of the fact that teachers are entitled to claim flat rate expenses; the engagement he has had with representative bodies acting on behalf of special needs assistants on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50226/21]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The flat rate expense (FRE) regime is operated by Revenue on an administrative basis. It applies where both a specific commonality of expenditure exists across an employment category and the statutory requirement for the tax deduction as set out in section 114 Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 is satisfied, namely, that the expenses are wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of the office or employment by the employee concerned. A further requirement is that such expenses are not reimbursed by an employee’s employer.

The FRE regime was established to apply a uniformity of approach to tax deductibility for expenses of large groups of employees and to facilitate ease of administration for both Revenue and employees. The expense should apply to all employees in that category and not be discretionary. Revenue has advised me that it will consider FRE applications where a large number of employees incur broadly identical qualifying expenses which are not reimbursed by their employer.

Applications are generally made by the representative bodies in the employment sectors concerned and are considered by Revenue based on the specific commonality of expenses within the employment category and compliance with the strictly applied statutory requirement for a tax deduction.

I am advised by Revenue that it received a submission from the body that represents Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in 2018. I am further advised that Revenue requested further information pertaining to the submission however, to date, this information has not been received. Should Revenue receive a submission in respect of SNAs, it will be given due consideration.

Revenue advises me that it remains committed to the FRE regime and encourages all taxpayers to avail of their full tax relief entitlements.

Finally, it should be noted that all employees retain their statutory right to claim a deduction under section 114 TCA 1997 in respect of an expense incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the duties of their employment, to the extent which such expenses are not reimbursed by the employer.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (97)

Martin Browne

Question:

97. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance when his Department plans to have completed its examination of the Department of Social Protection proposal in relation to community employment supervisors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50239/21]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The issue to which the Deputy's question refers is one for the Minister for Social Protection in the first instance.

However, I can confirm that I have been consulted in relation to the matter and I stand ready to engage in a positive way when further progress has been made between the parties directly involved.

Financial Services

Questions (98)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

98. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he and or his officials have engaged with lending institutions here in respect of persons that availed of pandemic unemployment payments and as a result were placed in a position that they were required to restructure credit arrangements and as a result had negative credit rating applied to them over the course of 2020 and 2021; and if so, his plans to remedy this situation. [50347/21]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

Since the Covid-19 situation first arose, I have maintained contact with the BPFI and lenders on the measures they have put in place to assist their customers who are or were economically impacted by the pandemic. In relation to the issue of persons that availed of pandemic unemployment payments and as a result were placed in a position that they were required to restructure credit arrangements, the Central Bank has advised that it is working to ensure lenders are acting in a way that protects the best interests of borrowers, and in line with relevant codes and regulations. Through ongoing engagement with lenders, the Central Bank is working to ensure that borrowers who continue to be affected by the economic issues surrounding Covid-19 are supported through this period of unprecedented stress.

The Central Bank has stated that its clear expectation is that lenders engage effectively and sympathetically with distressed borrowers – in line with the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, the Consumer Protection Code and regulations for lenders lending to SMEs – to deliver appropriate and sustainable solutions that are tailored to the needs of the individual borrower and which facilitate as many borrowers as possible to return to repaying their debt.

Lenders also have an obligation to report credit information to the Central Credit Register (CCR). In relation to the impact of Covid-19 payment breaks on the CCR, the Central Bank made it clear to all lenders that either a full or partial payment break agreed between a lender and a borrower as a response to Covid-19 was not, in itself, an event that was reportable to the CCR. Furthermore, it also indicated that a Covid-19 payment break agreed between a lender and a borrower as a response to Covid-19 should not have be reported to the CCR as either a “missed payment” or as a “restructure event”. While the general Covid-19 payment break scheme operated by the members of the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland in 2020 has ceased, support and assistance, which can include payment breaks, can still be agreed between borrowers and lenders on a case by case basis where necessary and appropriate. Also, it should be noted that the CCR does not produce credit ratings; rather the information on a credit report provided by the CCR is factual in nature. Credit reports contain no guidance, recommendation or prohibition for lenders on what decision they should make on an application for credit or repayment arrangements agreed with borrowers. Subject to complying with applicable law and regulatory requirements, it is a matter for lenders to make their own lending decisions in accordance with their own credit policies and risk appetites. Borrowers may access their credit report free of charge (subject to fair usage) from the CCR.

Flood Risk Management

Questions (99)

Dara Calleary

Question:

99. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date in 2021 on the Ballina, County Mayo flood relief scheme. [50165/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Ballina Flood Relief Scheme is currently at Stage 1 (Option Assessment, Scheme Development and Outline Design). Mayo County Council appointed consultants for the scheme in February 2020. The scheme has a preliminary total project budget of €8.2 million. Options are currently being developed for the scheme. On selection of a preferred option, Mayo County Council will submit the scheme to An Bord Pleanala for Planning Consent. Provisionally, it is expected to go for Planning in Autumn 2022.

The consultants, with support from the Steering Group Members, are making good progress through stage 1. As part of this work, surveys, feeding into the Hydrological and Hydraulic assessments, have been ongoing throughout the year. The Hydrology Report is now complete. The Hydraulics Report will be finalised in the coming weeks, once inputs from the data gathered in the CCTV Survey are complete. The Topographical Survey has been completed. Ground Investigations are currently on site. Environmental Surveys, providing baseline environmental data for the project, are ongoing. These surveys include Habitat, Mammal, Bird, Bat and Invasive Alien Species surveys.

The Opening Collaborative Workshop was held (virtually) on Wednesday 9th June 2021. Representatives from various relevant stakeholders were invited to the workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to identify and discuss any particular issues, constraints and opportunities that could inform the development of the Scheme. The proposed scheme, as developed through the Western CFRAM study and outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plan for the Moy & Killala Bay River Basin (May 2018), was presented alongside other factors, such as: Potential for Natural Water Retention Measures, Objectives of Ballina Local Area Plan, Public Realm/Landscape Enhancements at Cathedral Road and Emmet Street, Ireland’s Greenest Town Initiative, and Outcomes of the environmental constraints study including Environmental and Cultural Heritage.

There will be further public consultation once a preferred scheme has been identified.

Further information will be provided on the project website, which is available at:

www.floodinfo.ie/frs/en/ballina/home/.

Flood Risk Management

Questions (100)

Dara Calleary

Question:

100. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date in 2021 on the Foxford flood relief scheme, County Mayo. [50177/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study for the Moy & Killala Bay River Basin (referred to as Unit of Management UOM34 under the CFRAM Programme) did not identify any properties as being predicted to flood in the design events in Foxford, and so recommended non-structural methods only for this community.

However, Foxford has since been identified as requiring a ‘Scheme Viability Review’ due to the discrepancy identified between the CFRAM Study and the subsequent December 2015 flood event. A Scheme Viability Review involves looking again at the options for the community and trying to identify any new information or discrepancies with the CFRAM Study, which may facilitate a more cost-effective scheme, and potentially result in an additional scheme being considered for the area. Regarding the proposed Foxford Flood Relief Scheme, the Office of Public Works is currently undertaking this Scheme Viability Review to determine whether a feasible scheme is possible for Foxford.

The review is nearing its conclusion and a report is expected with the findings at the end of this year (2021).