Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2015
82. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the works carried out on the River Poddle to alleviate the risk of flooding, the level of risk to which residents are currently protected; when the proposed works are to be carried out at Tymon Park in Dublin 12, the level of risk to which residents will be protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26578/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra83. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the flood protection work carried out so far along the River Poddle; when the proposed works will be finished so that homeowners along the river may access flood insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26579/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the proposed Office of Public Works works on increasing the attenuation capacity of the ponds in Tymon Park in Dublin 12 to address flood issues on the River Poddle, if there is a timeframe in place for this work; if he will provide same; the type and amount of funding required for this work; if the funding has been ring-fenced in the multi-annual budgeting process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26580/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 84, inclusive, together.
The proposed attenuation works in Tymon Park are part of the overall options for dealing with flood risk on the Poddle River. These options were identified under the East Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (ECFRAM) study, and on which the public were consulted in 2013. The proposals for flood mitigation measures on the River Poddle also involve some downstream defence works. The works at Tymon Park are likely be progressed first.
South Dublin County Council (SDCC) is taking the proposals forward through planning and eventual construction. The Council is now in the process of procuring the design consultants for the Scheme. Once consultants have been appointed, a comprehensive programme to take the Scheme through planning and construction will be developed by the Council. The consultants will also prepare a detailed Cost Benefit Analysis for the proposed works.
Subject to successful completion of the planning process and the continued availability of funding, it is hoped to be in a position to commence construction of the main scheme works in 2017. The possibility of carrying out the Tymon Park attenuation works in advance of the main scheme works, perhaps using OPW direct labour, will be considered.
The Office of Public Works has given a commitment in principle to funding a viable, cost beneficial and environmentally acceptable scheme for the Poddle and has made indicative provision for its cost in its Multi-Annual Capital Budget Profiles. The construction of the scheme is expected take two years.
The works proposed to alleviate flooding on the Poddle are to be designed to the standard level of protection often referred to as the 100-year flood, which is to prevent flooding during events with a 1% annual exceedance probability (AEP) for fluvial floods. The design will take account also of climate change.
The OPW understands that the interim works carried out so far by South Dublin County Council have significantly alleviated flood risk in the area but it is not possible to state to what level of flood risk these works provide protection. New screens have been placed on the Poddle, with regular cleaning of these screens being undertaken by the Council.
In relation to insurance, when the works on the Poddle are completed, the OPW will provide full details of these and the level of protection they provide to the insurance industry in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the OPW and Insurance Ireland. It will be a matter for the insurance companies to take this information into account in deciding on the provision of flood risk cover for affected properties.
