Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2018
17. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the management of the River Shannon as part of the Managing Flood Risk in Ireland report; the timelines of the projects announced in the report; the annual funding allocation until 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21670/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk. The CFRAM programme culminated with the launch by me in Athlone on 3 May, 2018 of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans which proposed 118 new outline flood relief projects on top of the 42 major projects already completed and the 33 major schemes within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public Works (OPW).
I was delighted to be able to launch the Plans with the Taoiseach and to announce a major 10 year €1billion programme of investment in flood relief measures. I also said on the day of the launch that it would not be possible to implement all of the capital projects in one go and that a phased approach was necessary. In that regard I also announced funding of €257 million for an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country which would be progressed to detailed design and construction, including the 5 largest schemes identified in the Plans among them Limerick city and Tralee and 31 small or minor projects under €1 million which will be progressed directly by the local authorities.
The OPW is working closely with the local authorities to commence the progression of the projects. Details on the arrangements for the advancement of the five largest schemes, each with a value of between €15m and €40m, and 14 schemes costing between €1m and €15m, will be agreed with the relevant local authorities in the near future.
The allocation of almost €1billion by the Government in the National Development Plan up to 2027 for flood risk management will allow the annual allocation for flood risk measures increase from almost €70m in 2018 to €100m per annum by 2021 and thereafter.
There are ten projects directly on the River Shannon from Limerick City upstream to Leitrim Village which are to be implemented over the course of the next ten years. One scheme from the existing Capital Programme is already underway in Athlone and will be completed over the next two years. Another five schemes will be advanced as part of the first tranche of new projects. Another four projects will be part of the second tranche to be implemented. The total investment in these projects will be approximately €90m.
Over the whole of the River Shannon River Basin District (RBD) 34 areas will have new flood relief schemes implemented over the course of this 10 year programme to 2027, which will provide flood protection to over 3,200 properties.
In addition to the capital projects, the Shannon Flood Risk Management Plan also sets out a broad range of non-structural measures to manage flood risk in the Shannon catchment including maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and Drainage Districts, ongoing Operation and Maintenance of Infrastructure Associated with Hydro-Power Generation on the River Shannon, improving Long-Range Forecasting on the river Shannon to Optimise Operation of Water Level Management Infrastructure and the continued coordination of water level management by all relevant agencies on the Shannon to assist in reducing flood risk. The latter measure, in particular, is one of the key objectives of the River Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group established by the Government in January 2016. This is a solutions focussed group that added value to the Shannon CFRAM Study by ensuring the best possible level of co-ordination between all statutory bodies involved in flood risk management of the Shannon River Basin.
The Group is trialling the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen since 2016. It is examining a plan for strategic maintenance, to help reduce further deterioration of the River Shannon, and is also examining the development of viable flood risk reduction measures in the Shannon Callows.
