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Climate Change Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 April 2017

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Ceisteanna (26)

Noel Rock

Ceist:

26. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions and infrastructural changes that will be undertaken by the Government in response to the rising sea level, which clearly poses a pressing public safety threat; if funding will be devoted to prevention or adaptation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15027/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government published the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework in December 2012. This document sets out Government policy for addressing climate change adaptation in Ireland. It focuses on key climate sensitive sectors and mandates that certain Government Departments, other public sector bodies and Local Authorities prepare sectorial and local climate change adaptation plans.

Under the Framework, the OPW was mandated to prepare the Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management. This Plan was prepared involving extensive consultation and is published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie

The Flood Risk Management Sectorial Adaptation Plan is based on a current understanding of the potential consequences of climate change for flooding and flood risk in Ireland. It identifies the actions to be implemented by the OPW and other responsible Departments and agencies in the flood risk management sector.

The National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment Management Programme (CFRAM) is central to the assessment of future flood risk and the planning of future flood protection measures for the 300 areas of potentially significant flood risk (or Areas for Further Assessment, the 'AFAs') designated under the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment. This Programme includes the assessment of risk for two potential future scenarios taking account of the potential impacts of climate change. These climate change assessments have informed the development of the proposed flood risk management and protection measures being set out in the Flood Risk Management Plans, currently being finalised.

The OPW has surveyed and assessed the coastal erosion risk along the entire national coastline, as part of the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS), and this information is published (on the OPW website) and available to all Local Authorities. This Study enables Local Authorities to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties, including the identification, prioritisation and, subject to the availability of resources, the implementation of coastal protection works both of a structural and non-structural nature.

The Local Authorities may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources. If necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant central Government Departments for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat. This can include the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

Because intervention within a coastal area may cause problems further along the coast, any proposed intervention measures are best developed in conjunction with a formal coastal erosion risk management study that has carefully investigated the problem and explored the full range of management options.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in September 2015 announced details of a €430 million 6 year programme of capital investment on flood defence measures as part of the Government’s overall Capital Investment Plan 2016 – 2021.

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