Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
133. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the design stage for proposed flood protection plans for Buncrana and Luddan, County Donegal under the north western Neagh Bann CFRAM programme will be completed and progressed. [12203/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBuncrana-Luddan has been studied as part of the North Western – Neagh Bann Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Flood Risk Management Plan proposes flood relief schemes for Buncrana – Luddan consisting of a series of sea walls, flood embankments and floodwalls to protect against coastal and fluvial flood events.
In summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and each Plan was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (D/PER) for an independent review of the environmental assessments. Having now received the outcomes of the independent review of the environmental assessments for the Flood Risk Management Plans, the Commissioners of Public Works are submitting the Flood Risk Management Plans to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for approval.
It should be noted that approval of the Plans does not confer approval to construct a scheme but rather approval to proceed to the next stages of design. These next stages involve further detailed engineering and environmental assessment, design, public consultation and review of costs and benefits.
The National Development Plan 2018-2027 commits to almost €1 billion in funding for flood relief schemes, with annual Capital funding for the OPW doubling to €100 m by 2021. This funding will support continued investment in schemes at construction and design. Once the Plans are approved, I intend to announce a prioritised initial tranche of schemes proposed by the Plans to progress to detailed project level assessment and that provide greatest return for Government investment.
