Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
678. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme for the Dublin City Council administrative area; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20746/25]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW), as the lead agency for flood risk management, is coordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s National Flood Risk Policy. In 2018, the 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 new and additional flood relief schemes were identified through this Programme. Since 2018, a phased approach to scheme delivery, in partnership with Local Authorities, has allowed the OPW to treble the number of schemes at design or construction at this time to some 100 schemes. As well as a financial commitment to meet costs, progressing this significantly increased number of flood relief schemes requires capacity and capability in highly specialized areas of engineering, such as hydrology. While expenditure on each project in any year is dependent on many variables, the majority of expenditure for flood relief projects is incurred during the construction phase.
Flood relief schemes are large, complex, multiannual projects. They require detailed analysis of the sources and causes of flooding. They involve extensive landowner and stakeholder engagement and detailed environmental assessments and mitigation measures.
Delivery of flood relief schemes is a complicated process which has five distinct stages which are as follows;
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
Stage II: Planning Process, Public Exhibition / Confirmation
Stage III: Detailed Design
Stage IV: Construction
Stage V: Handover of Works
The current status of projects within the Dublin City Council administrative area are provided below.
Camac River Flood Alleviation Scheme
Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council in partnership with the OPW, have commissioned the Camac River Flood Alleviation Scheme to address flooding within the catchment of the Camac River. Engineering consultants were appointed to the scheme, which is currently at Stage 1, designing a preferred option to manage the flood risk.
The proposed scheme may include the construction of new flood defence walls incorporating flood gates and/or strengthening and raising existing walls, the construction of new flood defence embankments and/or strengthening and raising existing embankments, work on weirs, channels and culverts and storage ponds. The scheme is expected to provide protection against a 100-Year flood (1% Annual Exceedance Probability) for fluvial flooding.
Complexity in the development of the model has led to delays in progressing Stage 1. A range of options were presented at Public Consultation Days held in April 2024. Arising from the information obtained at the Public Consultation Days, the consultant is currently undertaking additional modelling of the catchment, which will further inform the options development phase.
Clontarf
Dublin City Council (DCC) is leading the development and design of a flood relief scheme for the Clontarf seafront, as part of the Clontarf Flood Relief Scheme. DCC has also recently developed a framework agreement for Consultant Engineering Design Services for a range of proposed projects, including the Clontarf Flood Relief Scheme.
Dublin City Council is currently engaging with the OPW with regard to the progression of a viable flood relief scheme for Clontarf seafront. The OPW has received a preliminary pre-feasibility report for a flood relief scheme for Clontarf from Dublin City Council, and is currently liaising with the Council on this report.
Dublin City (River Wad - Phase 1B) Flood Relief Scheme
The OPW and Dublin City Council are currently progressing the works on Phase 1B of the Wad River Flood Relief Scheme. This scheme comprises a new culvert under the Howth Road and a new outfall under Clontarf Promenade. It is envisaged that construction works for the scheme will commence in Q2 2025 and that the scheme will be substantially complete prior to end of 2025.
Dodder Phase 3 Flood Relief Scheme
Phase 2C, 2D and 2E of the flood relief scheme reached substantial completion in 2023. Dublin City Council, in conjunction with OPW and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are now advancing with Phase 3 of the River Dodder Flood Relief Scheme. Phase 3 is currently at Stage I and is being progressed through Part 10 of the Planning and Development Regulations. A public consultation day was held in June 2023. Options development continues, in order to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. It is envisaged the scheme will progress to Stage II towards the latter half of 2025.
Sandymount Flood Alleviation Scheme
In 2022, following discussions between the OPW and Dublin City Council, it was agreed that the Sandymount Flood Alleviation Scheme would be best progressed through a Steering Group consisting of representatives from the OPW and Dublin City Council. To facilitate the appointment of consultants for the Sandymount Flood Alleviation Scheme, and following extensive consultation with the OPW, Dublin City Council undertook a tender process for the establishment of the Multi Party Framework Agreement for Consultant Engineering Design Services for Flood Alleviation Projects, with the initial contract being the Sandymount Flood Alleviation Scheme. Dublin City Council appointed consultants to develop the scheme in November 2024.
The development of a detailed project programme for the Sandymount Flood Alleviation Scheme is now underway, with a Public Participation Day scheduled for 30th April 2025. It is envisaged that Stage 1 of the Sandymount Flood Alleviation Scheme, to identify an option to manage the flood risk, will take approximately 3 years. Following the identification of the preferred option, the Sandymount Flood Alleviation Scheme will be required to go through various stages of development including environmental assessments for planning, detailed design and construction.
