Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
143. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the flood relief scheme for 179 properties in Wexford town as flagged by the CFRAM and the flood risk management plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12453/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 is focussing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, designated in 2012 as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. The flood risk for each of these areas has been assessed, through detailed engineering techniques to assess their risk and impact from flooding. This risk and the proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified to manage that risk are outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.
Wexford town is an AFA and is being assessed by the South Eastern CFRAM Study. The proposed measure consists of building hard defences with an estimated average height of 1.4 m and a total length of 1.3 km. At risk properties would be protected by a series of flood embankments and walls, along with improvement of channel conveyance close to the downstream end of the Carricklawn River.
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.
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.
