Matt Carthy
Ceist:254. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide funding to resolve flooding in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12255/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 3 March 2022
Ceisteanna (254)
Freagraí scríofa
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. All Local Authorities, may carry out flood mitigation works, using either their own resources, or by applying for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme which was introduced by my Office in 2009.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The works to be funded are carried out under local authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the Council.
Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.gov.ie/opw.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding to Monaghan County Council for 27 Minor Works Schemes with a total approval value of €2,495,359. Information of schemes approved for funding is available on he OPW website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/893cd1-minor-flood-mitigation-works-and-coastal-protection-scheme-lists-of-/.
The OPW also has statutory responsibility for and carries out a programme of Arterial Drainage Maintenance. These maintenance works relate to arterial drainage schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945, with the primary purpose of improving the drainage of agricultural lands.
The OPW’s annual Arterial Drainage Maintenance Works Programme includes the following river catchments in the Monaghan area: Blackwater, Glyde and Dee.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State, culminated with the launch in 2018 of 29 flood risk management plans which propose 118 new outline flood relief projects on top of the major projects already completed and the schemes that were ongoing at the time within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public Works (OPW). All of these projects are to be funded under the Government's 10 Year flood risk investment programme of almost €1.3 billion under the National Development Plan 2018 – 2030.
As it is not possible to progress all proposed new schemes at once, an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country was announced which included the five largest schemes identified in the Plans and 31 small or minor projects with estimated construction budgets under €1 million which are being progressed directly by local authorities. 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.
While the three proposed schemes in County Monaghan, for Ballybay, Iniskeen and Monaghan town, are not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, the OPW and Monaghan County Council will work closely to ensure that they will be commenced as soon as possible within the lifetime of the programme of investment.