Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2016
345. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of meetings held by the interdepartmental flood policy co-ordination group to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35724/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra346. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the establishment and operation of the national flood forecasting and warning service unit; the number of staff employed in the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35725/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra347. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of meetings held by the River Shannon co-ordination group in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35726/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra348. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding put aside for the pilot scheme of individual home protection measures; the amount of money drawn down; the timeframe for a decision on the future of the pilot scheme's national roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35727/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the minor works flood scheme review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35728/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra350. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated number and cost of the proposed voluntary homeowner relocation schemes, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35731/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra351. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated number and cost of the proposed voluntary farm building relocation schemes, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35732/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Office of Public Works work on riparian rights landowners legal obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35733/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 to 352, inclusive, together.
The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group that I chair has met four times in 2016 to date. The Group recently presented for consideration and agreement by Government an interim report setting out progress on its work and making appropriate recommendations for consideration by Government at this time. The report has been approved by the Government and is available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.
A Steering Group to establish a National Flood Forecasting Service has met on six occasions in 2016, agreed a Terms of Reference and prepared and agreed an implementation plan comprising a number of phases, including an initial set-up phase (scheduled for completion by Q3 2018) and a development and trial phase (scheduled for completion by Q1 2020). Given the complexities involved in establishing, designing, developing and testing this new service, it is anticipated that it will take 4-5 years before it is fully operational and will require a staffing complement of 15 full-time posts at that point. Met Éireann has appointed one new staff member to date to lead the project.
The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group has met on five occasions in 2016, held three public consultation days and has agreed to trial the lowering of lake levels in Lough Allen and consider the costs and benefits of piloting the removal of pinchpoints and dredging of the Shannon, as a further commitment to enhance co-ordinated activities by the relevant State Agencies. The work programme for the agencies involved and other information is available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.
The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group is considering the potential costs and benefits associated with the introduction of an individual property protection scheme. The Group is being informed by two pilot projects which are currently underway in Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny and Crossmolina in County Mayo. The OPW is funding the cost of the consultants engaged to carry out the property assessments in the locations in question and will reimburse Mayo County Council for the cost of installation of the pilot flood gates in Crossmolina. The Co-ordination Group’s work, when completed, will be submitted to Government for consideration in the context of the merits of the introduction by Government of any scheme to support individual property protection measures.
A review of the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme is currently underway with a view to examining the criteria for consideration within the Scheme, including for example the various thresholds for the assessment of benefit. Consultations are underway with Local Authorities with a view to examining any potential improvements, administrative or financial, which will encourage applications under the scheme. The review will be carried out in the shortest possible timeframe and is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
On 8th November I announced funding of €2m for a targeted humanitarian aid scheme for those primary residential properties that flooded during last Winter and had flooded in previous years to ensure those worst affected homeowners have a primary residence.
While the Government has agreed that the terms of funding for relocation will be in line with the previous scheme in 2009, I am to appraise Government of the ongoing review of the administrative arrangements from that earlier scheme, to ensure that the arrangements for this once-off scheme are reflective of its targeted objective and all relevant circumstances.
I want to ensure that the funding is targeted at those homeowners at greatest risk of future flooding and would gain greatest benefit from State support to relocate.
The Office of Public Works is working jointly with Local Authorities and the Department of Social Protection to identify and prioritise homeowners and review the administrative arrangements for this scheme. I hope to be able to appraise Government and subsequently make initial contact with a small number of targeted homeowners towards the end of this year.
Further examination is ongoing by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, OPW and Local Authorities in evaluating on an individual basis if any alternative remedial works can be undertaken to protect those at risk farm buildings that flooded again last Winter in order to inform the feasibility of any future once-off targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation.
Guidance and support to clarify the rights and responsibilities of landowners in relation to the maintenance of water course on or near their lands is being developed for Spring 2017, subject to legal advice.
