Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
53. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide details of the current allocation for flood defence schemes for 2023 and 2024; if he is considering an emergency increase due to recent devastating floods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47035/23]
View answerThe Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk.
In 2018, to establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State: the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect over 95% of that risk. Some 150 additional flood relief schemes were identified through this Programme.
Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities throughout the country, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning and construction to some 98 schemes at this time.
Flood relief schemes are large, complex, multiannual projects. They require detailed analysis of the sourcing and causes of flooding. They involve extensive landowner and stakeholder engagement and detailed environmental assessments and mitigation measures. While expenditure on each project in any year is dependent on many variables, the majority of expenditure for flood relief projects is incurred during the construction phase. Throughout the scheme-delivery stages, project budgets of flood relief schemes are continually monitored and reviewed by OPW. As the overall delivery programme advances, OPW engages with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding the capital and current funding required through the annual budget process.
Investment of some €300m has taken place since 2018 on flood relief scheme measures. Additionally, there is an expenditure allocation of approximately €76m for 2023. The allocation for 2024 has not yet been finalised.
In the coming years, further schemes will progress through the project stages, attain planning permission and begin construction. As the overall delivery programme advances, OPW engages with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding the capital and current funding required through the annual budget process.
In addition to the active flood relief schemes noted above, the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme provides funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation or coastal protection works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. This scheme provides 90% funding to local authorities to manage localised flood risk.
A review of the Minor Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, which I have requested, has been underway in the OPW. This review is examining, amongst other things, the increase to the cost threshold which should apply in order to ensure that effective supports are being provided to Local Authorities. I am aware that the review is nearing completion and I look forward to its finalisation.
