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Flood Relief Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Ceisteanna (95, 96)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

95. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount drawn down by Offaly County Council in respect of flooding from January 2018 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12247/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

96. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific projects applied for by Offaly County Council to alleviate flooding problems in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12248/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Local authorities may carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources or apply under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, which makes funds available to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding problems within their administrative areas. The eligibility criteria of this scheme, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, are published on the OPW website www.gov.ie/opw It is open to the Council to submit a funding application for flood mitigation works under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme's eligibility criteria and the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.

Please see below in tabular form all applications received from Offaly County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in 2018 and to date in 2020 and the status of each.

Year

Project Location

Project Details

Status

Funding approved

Funding Drawn down

2018

Derrynagun, Lamonaghan

To construct an earthen embankment to contain flood waters from a channel leading to the River Brosna

Approved

€8,211

€0

Geashill Village

Culvert replacement

Under Consideration - Awaiting further information from L.A.

Ballymooney Lane, Ballinagar

Demolition and Construction of New Bridge

Under Consideration - Awaiting further information from L.A.

R-420-9 Alderborough

installation of Culvert

Under Consideration - Awaiting further information from L.A.

Shinrone

Upgrade of pipes and gullies

Funding not approved- proposed works responsibility of L.A.

2019

Newtown to Ballybritt

Install 1m pipes & associated works

Approved

€48,332

€48,332

Bog Road, Portarlington

To upgrade roadside drains, replace 3 no culverts at land access points & associated works

Approved

€132,795

€0

The Flood Risk Management Plans announced in May 2018 identified a total of 118 flood relief projects to protect the main flood risk areas throughout the country, two of which are in County Offaly. These Plans and projects are a key part of the overall flood risk management strategy set out in the National Development Plan 2017 - 2028 involving total investment of almost €1 billion over the ten year time frame of that Plan. As it is not possible to implement all of the 118 projects at the one time, a total of 60 projects have been prioritised for the initial tranche of investment and delivery, based on the level of risk and number of properties to be protected.

The proposed Rahan Flood Relief Scheme is in the first tranche of Schemes to be implemented. It is being led by Offaly County Council, with funding provided by the OPW, and technical support also being received from the OPW in carrying out the modelling of the Rahan FRS and reviewing the hydrology, hydraulics, cost benefit analysis and CFRAM option. It has a preliminary estimated cost of €30k and would protect 4 properties when completed.

The proposed Flood Relief Scheme for Birr has an estimated cost of €2.09m and would protect 29 properties when completed. Though this project is not in the first tranche of projects to be advanced, the OPW and Offaly County Council will work closely to ensure that the project will be progressed as early as possible in the coming years and within the 10 year timeframe for the programme of investment.

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