Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
192. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of overtopping the Office of Public Works has carried out along the coastline; the amount of overtopping that has been carried out on the east coast; his plans for overtopping in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area; his further plans for Bullock harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3965/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary objective of Government policy on coastal flood protection is to ensure that in areas identified as being at greatest risk of damage or loss of economic assets through coastal flooding, appropriate and sustainable measures are identified to protect those assets and, where such measures are economically justified on cost benefit grounds and compatible with all required environmental and other statutory requirements, they are implemented subject to the availability of resources.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken a national assessment of coastal flooding (and erosion) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) and the results of this study have been published on the OPW website. A key objective of the Study was to provide information to support decision making about how best to manage risks associated with coastal flooding (and coastal erosion). The Study was completed in 2013 and provides strategic current scenario and future scenario (up to 2100) coastal flood hazard maps (and coastal erosion maps) for the national coastline. This major study provides invaluable and essential information required to inform policy in this area, particularly for local authorities in relation to the proper planning and development of coastal areas.
The relevant reports and associated predictive coastal flood hazard mapping may be viewed at
https://www.opw.ie/en/flood-risk-management/floodanderosionmapping/icpss/.
Coastal protection and flooding issues are matters, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. The Local Authorities may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources. If necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant Government Departments for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat. 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 risk management study that has carefully investigated the problem and explored the full range of management options. The OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, under which applications for funding from local authorities are considered for measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. Funding for coastal risk management studies may also be applied for under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for projects that meet the eligibility criteria including a requirement that the proposed measures are cost beneficial.
The OPW has published guidelines for funding applications under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, available on the OPW website at https://www.opw.ie.
In relation to Bullock Harbour, the OPW has not received an application under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for this area from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Works (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities, involves the production of predictive flood mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of Flood Risk Management Plans.
The CFRAM Programme focussed on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding where detailed assessment was undertaken. The proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified for AFAs are to be outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.
The OPW has completed 42 major flood relief schemes since 1996 with the River Dodder and South Campshires schemes completed in Dublin. A further 26 major schemes are at design and or development stage including Arklow, County Wicklow and Sandymount in Dublin.
