Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 March 2018
66. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the catchment flood risk assessment and management programme and flood risk management plans for the upper Lee will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11331/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Works 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.
In the upper Lee catchment, the following areas Inchigeelagh, Ballingeary, Macroom and Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney were designated as AFA’s and were assessed under the South Western CFRAM Study.
In relation to Macroom, a pre feasibility study of the flooding problem in the area has recently been completed by the OPW Design Section, which has recommended that a more detailed feasibility study would commence by the Summer of 2018.
A flood relief scheme for Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney is currently at outline design stage where the preferred options for the scheme are being finalised. The second Public Information Day will be held on 22 March, 2018 and this will be followed by a Public Exhibition of the preferred scheme in the latter half of 2018.
Proposed measures has been identified in the Flood Risk Management Plans for Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary.
In summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and each Plan was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform 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 now 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 €100m 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.
