Since the introduction of the Arterial Drainage Amendment Act, 1995, allowing the Office of Public Works to undertake urban flood relief projects to protect residential properties and businesses, approximately €200 million has been invested on capital projects in the intervening years, with over €112 million spent in the last five years alone. Since 2003, OPW have completed schemes in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Kilkenny City, Leixlip, Co. Kildare and on the River Dodder in Counties Meath and Dublin.
OPW has currently profiled expenditure in excess of €200 million on about fifteen major capital schemes from now to 2014, with a Budget allocation for 2010 of €50 million. 2010 will see the first phases of major schemes being completed in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Mallow, Co. Cork, Ennis, Co. Clare, Waterford City and Fermoy, Co. Cork. Construction works will continue in 2010 on Schemes at Mornington, Co. Meath and the River Dodder in Dublin. It is also planned to commence construction of the second phases of schemes in Clonmel, Mallow and Ennis in the first half of 2010, along with the scheme planned for Templemore, Co. Tipperary.
While these schemes are at construction, the detailed design and procurement processes for civil engineering contractors for the second phases of schemes in Waterford City and Fermoy will continue. Other major schemes, which will be progressed through detailed design and procurement processes in 2010, include Arklow and Bray, both in Co. Wicklow. In addition to all these schemes, it is hoped to commence construction on the main Drainage Scheme in Carlow Town, which includes a flood defence scheme for which OPW is providing funding.
All these schemes form the core of the investment planned over the next five years. In parallel with the major schemes being progressed, a Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works Programme was initiated in 2009 where OPW are providing funding for minor, localised flood relief work to be undertaken by local authorities. An initial amount of €6m has been allocated for this in 2010. This will be reviewed when all applications have been received from local authorities.