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Flood Risk Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021

Tuesday, 7 December 2021

Questions (212)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

212. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will request the OPW to provide an update in relation to ongoing issues with a flood defence scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60281/21]

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Written answers

I am advised that Iarnród Éireann, in partnership with Wicklow County Council, commissioned consultants to undertake the East Coast Erosion Study, including a feasibility assessment at The Breaches where the Breaches river is being blocked as it passes under a railway and pedestrian bridge (the Breaches bridge) by beach sediment. Historically, Iarnród Éireann removed blockages several times per year with an excavator to mitigate the risk of flooding. It is understood that the consultants have completed their feasibility assessment report and have provided their conclusions and recommendations on the matter to Iarnród Éireann for its consideration as to the next steps to be taken to mitigate the risk of flooding in the area.

Kilcoole was designated as an area of potentially significant flood risk through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment, and the flood risk in the area was then assessed through the OPW’s National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study, with potential flood risk reduction and protection measures investigated. The CFRAM Study did not identify an economically viable flood protection measure for Kilcoole. However, it was decided that more detailed examination was warranted, and that a further assessment (referred to as the Scheme Viability Reviews, or ‘SVR’) should be undertaken to review the costs and benefits to determine if there would be sufficient confidence to take a proposed measure forward to detailed development and design.

In parallel to the work commissioned by Iarnród Éireann, consultants were appointed by the OPW to undertake the SVR for Kilcoole and for the neighbouring community of Newcastle, and options for flood protection have been reviewed for each community individually, and also as a joint scheme for both communities. The results of the review indicate that potential permanent technical solutions are not cost effective. However, the OPW is planning to further assess the benefit to cost ratio of the potential technical solutions to reflect foreseen changes to the project appraisal process identified through a review of the approaches to project appraisal undertaken by the OPW in 2021.

Wicklow County Council has not applied to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for works in the area.

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