Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
414. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flood relief at a location (details supplied); the available funding in 2018 for the project; the estimated funding available in 2019; the programme of works to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33696/18]
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 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).
In that regard funding of €257 million for an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country was also announced which would be progressed to detailed design and construction, including five large schemes identified in the Plans and 31 small projects under €1 million which will be progressed directly by local authorities.
Aside from the 5 largest schemes and the 31 small projects, the remaining projects in the initial phase of implementation were selected on the basis of those projects which would provide the greatest benefit in terms of the greatest number of properties protected on a regionally balanced basis. The proposed scheme for Portarlington is included in the initial phase of implementation.
The proposed flood relief scheme at Portarlington, Co. Laois has an estimated cost of €5.6 million and will protect 144 at risk properties by a series of hard defences consisting of flood embankments and walls which will be set back from the river channel where possible. The necessary funding to progress the proposed scheme in Portarlington will be made available by the OPW.
The OPW is liaising actively with all local authorities, including Laois County Council, in order to establish arrangements and structures on how best to progress the first tranche of projects and to maximise the scope for their early delivery, including, where feasible and appropriate, the local authorities taking the lead on the delivery of some of these projects. A key first step in the process will be the procurement and appointment of engineering design and environmental consultants to begin work on the development of the detailed design of the proposed schemes. This will commence as soon as possible. It is not possible at this stage to indicate when construction works will commence.
Once consultants are appointed to progress the scheme, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies as well as the general public takes place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the scheme.
