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Flood Risk Assessments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Ceisteanna (370)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

370. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Fingal east County Meath flood risk assessment study will be implemented on the drainage network in Fingal and east County Meath and in particular on the Donabate peninsula which is identified as prone to flooding; the details of the capital investment on drainage infrastructure in the Fingal and east County Meath areas in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20968/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following the adoption by Government in 2004 of the Report of the Flood Policy Review Group, the OPW commenced a series of pilot CFRAM Projects to test and develop the approach before rolling-out the Programme nationally. The area within the Nanny-Delvin River Basin (UoM08) was included as the main component of the Fingal / East-Meath FRAM ('FEM-FRAM') pilot Study, with smaller adjoining parts of the Boyne and Liffey-Dublin Bay River Basin Districts. Details of the FEM-FRAM pilot Study can be found on the OPW website; www.floodinfo.ie. This study was completed in 2014. 

In May 2018, the Government formally published 29 formal Flood Risk Management Plans - the key output on the culmination of the national CFRAM Programme. The Plan for the Nanny-Delvin River Basin (referred to as ‘Unit of Management 08’) specifically notes the measures set out through the FEM-FRAMS, including an update on their current status. 

To support the implementation of the Plans and, specifically, the proposed new flood relief schemes, the Government has committed almost €1 billion in funding for flood risk management in the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027.  

The status of the current schemes recommended as part of the FEM-FRAM / Nanny-Delvin FRMPs is set out below:

Scheme

Current Status

Malahide

Design Scoping Underway

Portmarnock (Strand Road)

Design Scoping Underway

Skerries Mill Stream

At Scheme Development and Design Stage (OPW inhouse design)

Ashbourne

At Construction / scheduled for completion End 2020 / Early 2021 –   Project budget: EUR2,5m

Mornington

Design Scoping Underway

Northlands, Bettystown

Substantially complete – Project Budget: EUR2.6m

Balgriffin

It is understood that housing development in the area has likely   altered the hydraulic conditions on site and/or resolved the flooding issue   identified in FEM FRAMS. To be reviewed. The OPW has put in place a process   for undertaking such reviews as recommended in the FRMPs nationally, and it   is envisaged that these reviews will be complete within the next 12 months.

Rush

The CFRAM Process did not identify an economically viable scheme for   this community, and so a review of the risk in this community and the likely   costs and benefits is to be undertaken to determine if a viable scheme may be   available. The OPW has put in place a process for undertaking such reviews as   recommended in the FRMPs nationally, and it is envisaged that these reviews   will be complete within the next 12 months. Elements also being assessed as   part of the Rogerstown Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management Study.

Bettystown (Laytown)

The CFRAM Process did not identify an economically viable scheme for   this community, and so a review of the risk in this community and the likely   costs and benefits is to be undertaken to determine if a viable scheme may be   available. The OPW has put in place a process for undertaking such reviews as   recommended in the FRMPs nationally, and it is envisaged that these reviews   will be complete within the next 12 months.

 

As well as the flood relief schemes described above, the following works have been approved for Fingal County and east County Meath under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Works:

County

Area

Description of Works

Approved Funding

Year Approved

East Meath

Swan River

Construct flood embankments

EUR270,000

2009

East Meath

Swan River

Construct flood embankments

EUR45,000

2010

East Meath

Eastham Stream

Remove and relocate existing pipes and ancillary works

EUR22,500

2011

East Meath

Northlands, Bettystown

Study to identify catchment area flowing into estate & detailed   analysis of possible potential solutions

EUR36,000

2012

Fingal

Aspen, Swords

Increase the channel capacity by widening the Gaybrook stream along a   200m length at Aspen

EUR54,000

2011

Fingal

Rowlestown

Construction of a flood defence embankment along the left bank of the   Broadmeadow Tributary in Rowelstown

EUR153,000

2011

Fingal

Portrane / Rush(coastal)

Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study

EUR57,800

2013

Fingal

The Grange, Malahide

Construction of bund/berm & associated works

EUR93,600

2013

Fingal

R127,Skerries Balbriggan Regional Road

Emergency sea defence works- stonework pointing, replacement of   existing wall, additional rock armour & re-instatement of damaged rock   armour

EUR197,480

2014

Fingal

Malahide Town Centre

Study

EUR45,000

2014

Fingal

The Burrow, Portrane (Coastal)

Installation of 380 no. concrete ‘SeaBee’ units to reduce the wave   energy reaching the dune face (Temporary interim emergency measures)

EUR456,464

2018

 

The OPW also maintains over 170km of river channel in the Fingal / East-Meath area, including both the Broadmeadow & Ward Arterial Drainage Scheme, and the Matt Arterial Drainage Scheme. This work forms part of the OPW’s ongoing arterial drainage maintenance programme, which is carried out under a budget allocation of EUR18m annually. 

In addition to the structural measures (i.e. flood relief schemes, Minor Works and drainage maintenance), the Plans also contain important non-structural measures to address flood risk and the overall implementation of the Plans is being overseen by an Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group. 

A key role of the Interdepartmental Group is to carefully consider the extent of non-structural solutions that can inform the ten-year implementation strategy of the Flood Risk Management Plans. The 2009 Planning System and Flood Risk Management guidelines are informing planning decisions to prevent new properties being built in areas at risk from flooding. In 2016, the Government agreed to the establishment of a National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service to enable members of the public and local authorities take more preventative action to reduce the impact of flooding. An Implementation Plan for this service is being delivered by Met Eireann and is overseen by a Steering Group chaired by the Office of Public Works. It is a vital resource to inform future response to flood risk including how local authorities plan for and respond to flood events.

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