Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
223. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the plans, if any, that the OPW has to de-risk pluvial flooding in the Celbridge area of Kildare. [17557/24]
View answer224. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the plans, if any, that the OPW has to de-risk natural flooding events in the Celbridge area of Kildare. [17558/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together.
Pluvial flooding is a matter for the Local Authority to investigate and address. The query should be directed to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Shinkeen Stream (Hazelhatch) Flood Relief Scheme which comprised of channel widening and deepening along the Shinkeen stream was completed in 2001 and provides protection against a 100-Year fluvial flood (1% Annual Exceedance Probability) for 26 properties.
In 2018, to establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the Office of Public Works (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 flood relief schemes were identified through this Programme.
The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of these flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk.
Arising from the CFRAM study, Celbridge was identified as an area subject to further assessment, and I can confirm that a Scheme Viability Review (SVR) for Celbridge is nearing completion and the results of this review will be discussed and progressed with Kildare County Council. The purpose of a SVR is to determine whether or not potential schemes should be taken forward to full flood relief scheme project status and stages (i.e. design, planning and construction).
