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Flood Relief Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2024

Tuesday, 5 November 2024

Questions (305, 306)

James Lawless

Question:

305. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update from the Office of Public Works on a flood relief scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44193/24]

View answer

James Lawless

Question:

306. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update from the Office of Public Works on a flood relief scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44194/24]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.

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, 55 schemes have been completed to date which are providing protection to over 13,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway.

The OPW has completed four major flood relief schemes in County Kildare: the Lower Morrell (Turnings), Morrell Johnstown, Rye Water (Leixlip) and Shinkeen Stream (Hazelhatch) flood relief schemes. The Shinkeen Stream (Hazelhatch) Scheme is comprised of channel widening and deepening along the Shinkeen Stream and provides protection against a 100-Year fluvial flood (1% Annual Exceedance Probability) for 26 properties.  The scheme is maintained by the OPW.

Currently, there are three major flood relief schemes underway in County Kildare. Two projects, at Athy and Naas, are at Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design.  The Morell River Flood Management Scheme is also underway and is at Stage IV: Implementation / Construction.  The scheme includes embankments and flood defence walls along the Morell and Painstown Rivers. The catchment study area begins south of Straffan, includes Killeenmore, and extends to the North of Sallins.  Construction began on 1st September 2020, with works being undertaken by the OPW East Region Construction team. Some 74.5% of the construction works are now complete, and completed works are in the process of being handed back to Kildare County Council.  The Scheme is programmed for completion in Q4 2025. 

There is also a further Small Project at commencement stage at Leixlip, which is being progressed by Kildare County Council with funding being provided by the OPW.

Once completed, these four projects will provide protection to a further 677 properties, with an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €74m.  

The Flood Risk Management Plans included the recommendation to undertake a review of potential schemes to confirm in greater detail the likely viability of a scheme for each community. The OPW is progressing a scheme viability review for Celbridge and will liaise with Kildare County Council in relation to the outcome.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Kildare County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.  

Kildare County Council may also apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.  The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.   

The scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.  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, with the balance being funded by the Local Authority concerned.  Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which comprise economic, social and environmental criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.  

Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of €1.78 million to County Kildare for some 7 projects. This includes a Minor Works project in respect of which the OPW provided funding of €500,000 to Kildare County Council to undertake relevant works in Sallins.

Question No. 306 answered with Question No. 305.
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