Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2024
182. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW has investigated the possibility of implementing flood prevention measures against the River Glenaboy at Bridge Crossing, West Street, Tallow, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42170/24]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s national flood policy, which includes the development of a planned programme of feasible works for major flood relief schemes.
In 2018, to facilitate the development of a programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study - the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM programme resulted in the publication of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), which identified and described the flood risk in various river basins. With reference to Tallow Co. Waterford, the 2018 Blackwater (Munster) River Basin FRMP confirmed that there were no structural flood risk management options proposed.
Outside of the CFRAM process, the OPW notes that local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and that Local Authorities can apply to the OPW for funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to address local flooding issues.
The purpose of the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection 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.
Applications for funding from local authorities are considered for flood relief and erosion protection measures costing up to €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 are available on the OPW’s floodinfo website - www.floodinfo.ie/.
