The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s National Flood Policy.
To facilitate the progression of the Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme, Wexford County Council has agreed, with the support of the OPW, to lead this scheme, and both parties are committed through its Project Steering Group to progressing the scheme in accordance with its agreed project programme.
The OPW notes that major flood relief schemes, including the Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme, 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 for progressing flood relief schemes follow a number of stages from feasibility through design, planning, detailed design and construction.
As part of the process for progressing major flood relief schemes such as the Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme, the OPW notes that 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 also required at various stages to ensure that those affected by a scheme have the opportunity to input into its design and implementation.
While the OPW and Wexford County Council remain committed to progressing the Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme in accordance with its agreed project programme, the OPW notes that 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.
The project steering group for the Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme will endeavour to minimise the risks associated with potential project constraints to enable the most efficient progression of the flood relief scheme.
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, known as 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.
It is a matter for Wexford County Council to identify any coastal protection/erosion works in their administrative area and it is open to Wexford County Council to apply for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. 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 www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/.
