Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
148. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the plans of the OPW for remedial works (details supplied) following the recommendations made in a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46872/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the very serious flooding of those properties that flooded in the Winter of 2015/16, including those properties flooded by turloughs. The scheme is administered by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
To be eligible for assistance under this once-off Scheme, a homeowner had to meet a number of conditions, including that floodwater entered and damaged the building during or as a result of flooding during relevant dates such as to render it uninhabitable and that there is no viable engineering solution that could protect the property from future flooding.
Remedial Works is a unique and once-off scheme that has been designed as part of the Voluntary Home Relocation Scheme. These works are identified engineering solutions to be implemented by the relevant local authority that would protect properties that would otherwise be eligible for relocation and for which there is no other funding source. The OPW can provide initial funding to the local authority to carry out preliminary assessments and reports to inform the viability of any engineering solution. If an engineering solution will provide the required level of protection to a property from future flooding of the same magnitude as that experienced in the Winter of 2015/16 and is considered value for money in the context of the cost of relocation, the OPW can provide the local authority with the funding necessary to implement the works.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the Council applied to the OPW for funding for the Council to commission a report that would inform any potential engineering solution for the property concerned. This was approved. The Council has received the report and has been considering its contents. A meeting between the OPW and the Council is due to be held shortly to consider the matter, and the property owner will be contacted shortly thereafter.
