Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
62. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there are plans for looking at mitigations and protections required following north Louth flooding and near flooding recently; what engagement there has been through the OPW and his Department with Louth County Council and other agencies following the flooding in north Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52340/23]
View answerTo deliver the proposed measures set out in the Flood Risk Management Plans for County Louth, Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk / Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects being progressed. The funding for these schemes has been allocated under the €1.3bn investment in flood relief under the National Development Plan to 2030.
The development of flood relief schemes, overseen by project Steering Groups with representatives meeting monthly from the OPW and Louth County Council, involves five distinct, sequential and related stages. Aligned to the decision gateways of the Public Spending Code these are assessing the flood risk and identifying options; seeking planning consent, detailed design, construction and maintenance. Public consultation forms part of each stage and project websites, available on floodinfo.ie provides updates on each scheme’s progress.
The Dundalk/Blackrock South and Ardee projects are being progressed simultaneously and engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020. The proposed scheme will protect some 1,880 properties when completed. The scheme option for Dundalk/Blackrock South is expected in Q2 2024 and Ardee is currently at options development.
The flooding experienced in Louth at the end of October was as a result of heavy rainfall. Louth County Council's Severe Weather Team was convened to ensure a coordinated response was in place to deal with the ongoing weather problems associated with this heavy rainfall, in particular in the north of the County. The primary focus in the aftermath of the flood event was ensuring public safety by attending to road closures and infrastructure damage within the north Louth area.
In the days following the flood event drone footage was captured and surveying of the area arranged. The Office of Public Works and Louth County Council met on Thursday 9th November to assess the flood mechanisms and damages from the event which will also help to inform the proposed Flood Relief Scheme for Carlingford and Greenore. Officials are due to meet again at the end of November to progress the project.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The works to be funded are carried out under Local Authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the Council.
Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.floodinfo.ie.
The Department of Social Protection operates a humanitarian assistance scheme to assist households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events including flooding. The purpose of this scheme is to prevent hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.
In addition, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible for an emergency humanitarian support scheme to support businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies affected by flooding. Under this scheme, emergency humanitarian contributions may be made available towards the costs of returning business premises and community, voluntary and sporting bodies to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock.
