Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
46. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the actions his Department will take in order to help expedite current flood relief projects, in view of the fact that the average flood relief project is taking 10-12 years to reach a conclusion; if this process can be made more efficient to ensure delivery of projects in a faster timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52141/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW), as the lead agency for flood risk management, is coordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s National Flood Risk Policy.
A broad range of structural and non-structural measures have already been implemented to address flood risk under an approach structured around three pillars: prevention, protection and preparedness.
The 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. 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 100 schemes at this time.
Nationally, 54 schemes have been completed to date, at a cost of some €550m, which are providing protection to over 12,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €1.9 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway.
While the OPW strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum delay, major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations that can impact on people's living, built and natural environment and, therefore, require lengthy planning and decision lead-in times.
The process follows a number of stages from feasibility through design, planning, detailed design and construction. It is important that the work is done correctly and achieves its objectives. Extensive and detailed technical analysis is required to establish the most appropriate solution, technically and environmentally, from a range of possible mitigation options. The solution must also be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change.
Extensive public consultation is required at various stages to ensure that those affected by a scheme have the opportunity to input into its design and implementation. Ecological and archaeological issues often require in-depth analysis in order to ensure that the technical solution selected will meet the requirements of existing EU and national environmental legislation.
Delays against profiled programme can occur due to a variety of constraints and factors, including: demand in the market for surveys; extended timeframes to obtain planning decisions; extensive and increasing environmental assessments; and Judicial Review processes.
As well as through strong project management, by means of Steering Group structures, local authorities will, where it is feasible, bring forward advance works or some minor works, prior to the main scheme being completed. These can be funded by the OPW and can mitigate the impact from a flood event. This process, by means of 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.
Of the flood relief schemes being progressed, seven schemes are currently at construction stage and, once completed, these schemes will provide flood protection to approximately 1,700 properties.
There are also some 30 Small Projects currently being implemented by their respective local authorities, with funding being provided by the Office of Public Works. Of these, the scheme at Westport (Cois Abhainn & Ashwood) recently completed construction.
Schemes currently being delivered have been prioritised as Tranche I schemes. Also included in these active schemes are four Tranche II Pilot projects. The pilot, which I announced in May 2023, is in response to engagement between OPW and local authorities to agree a planned national approach to future schemes that matches return on investment from the available capacity in the local authorities and OPW. Consequently, a new delivery model for flood relief schemes is being piloted which will better inform the future Tranche II schemes' delivery.
