Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
67. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of major flood relief schemes currently in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52300/23]
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. 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.
To date, 54 schemes have been completed, 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.
Currently there are seven schemes at Stage IV: Implementation/Construction:
• The Dodder Phase 2 Flood Relief Scheme, which is expected to be substantially complete before the end of 2023.
• The Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme, River Mall (Templemore) Flood Relief Scheme, and Springfield Flood Relief Scheme, which are expected to be substantially complete within the next 12 months.
• The Morell River Flood Management Scheme.
• The Glashaboy (Glanmire/Sallybrook) Flood Relief Scheme and the Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme, which both commenced construction in 2023.
In total, when completed, some 1,700 properties will be protected by these seven flood relief schemes.
A further five schemes are anticipated to commence construction in 2024.
