Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
85. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department is considering increasing investment in flood relief schemes in 2024 and 2025 to expedite the delivery of necessary schemes as a means of preventing major flooding events in urban communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15765/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk.
Since 2018, a phased approach to scheme delivery, in partnership with Local Authorities, has allowed the OPW to treble the number of schemes at design, planning or construction at this time to some 100 schemes. While the OPW strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with minimum delay, major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations that can impact on people's living, built and natural environment and, therefore, require lengthy planning and decision lead-in times.
Expenditure in the earlier stages of a project represents a small proportion of the overall budget of a flood relief scheme. Schemes at construction incur the greatest expenditure, and there is no legislative or regulatory means of fast-tracking schemes to this stage.
The OPW is currently profiling to meet its total allocation for flood relief expenditure of over €80m for 2024 and has a current profile of some €100m for 2025. This anticipated expenditure is not without risk and is dependent on a number of factors which can affect total spend in any given year. Delays against profiled programme can occur due to a variety of constraints and factors, including: demand in the market for highly specialised surveys; extended timeframes for planning decisions and Judicial Review processes; extensive and detailed environmental assessments. Consequently, it is not currently envisaged that supplementary funding will be required above the current allocation.
It is anticipated that this strong pipeline of future schemes will increase the number of schemes reaching construction by the middle of the decade, thereby notably increasing the programme expenditure from 2025 to 2030. The OPW engages with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on an ongoing basis regarding the Capital and Current funding required under the National Development Plan and through the annual budgetary process to ensure that adequate funding is available to continue to progress the programme of delivery of flood relief schemes.
