Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
342. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline all policies and plans currently in train to deal with the inevitable and increasing impacts of flooding as a result of climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47436/23]
View answerIt is likely that climate change will have significant impacts on flooding and flood risk in Ireland due to rising sea levels, increased rainfall in winter, more heavy rain days and more intense storms. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken a range of initiatives to ensure that appropriate adaptive approaches are prepared for these projected climate changes and their associated impact on flood risk.
The National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme undertook detailed assessments of flooding and its impacts for 300 communities potentially at risk from flooding. These communities are home to approximately two-thirds of the population, and 80% of properties potentially at risk in Ireland from rivers and seas.
The evidence provided by the CFRAM Programme supports the Government’s €1.3bn planned investment to complete 151 flood relief schemes through the National Development Plan as part of Project 2040. Since the launch of the Flood Risk Management Plans in May 2018, the number of flood relief schemes under design and construction, by the OPW in partnership with Local Authorities, has trebled to 98 schemes. Together with the 53 schemes already completed or substantially completed, this means that the OPW and Local Authorities have completed, or are now actively working on, projects to protect 80% of those properties to be protected in this decade.
In addition to the 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. This scheme can provide temporary measures for at-risk communities pending the delivery of a major flood relief scheme for their area.
Information on the status of flood relief schemes and data on Minor Works is available at www.floodinfo.ie/.
The CFRAM Programme included an assessment of the flood risk that could arise in the future due to climate change. These assessments are kept under continuous review by the OPW. The OPW programme of flood relief schemes is taking account of climate change in their design and construction to facilitate adaptation that may be necessary in the future for the scheme to ensure that schemes continue to provide the requisite protection.
As the lead agency with responsibility for Flood Risk Management, the OPW developed a Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan that was approved by Government in October 2019. The overall aim of 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 OPW has identified the following adaptation objectives:
• Enhancing our knowledge and understanding of the potential impacts of climate change for flooding and flood risk management through research and assessment
• Adapting flood risk management practice to effectively manage the potential impact of climate change on future flood risk
• Aligning adaptation to the impact of climate change on flood risk and flood risk management across sectors and wider Government policy.
The OPW has identified a number of actions under each of these objectives, in the areas of flood risk prevention, protection, and preparedness and resilience, as well as in further research and capacity building. Current activities that are ongoing include a national risk assessment of future as well as current flood risk; pilot Scheme Adaptation Plans being prepared for both new and existing flood relief schemes; liaison with the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs); and research into the impacts of climate change on short-duration, intense rainfall events and on fluvial flood flows.
With regard to coastal erosion and future changes in the inter-tidal zone, the Government established an Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy, jointly chaired by the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This group was tasked with scoping out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group has reported to Government and its report has been published.
