Kevin Boxer Moran
Longford-Westmeath · Independent · Ireland
“I understand the Deputy's frustration and that of the people in the Gort lowlands. This is a very complex scheme. It is one of the most complex we have in the country. When we talk about swallow holes, turloughs and underground water, it is very complex. That is why we have the experts in the field working on this.”
“There has been a significant amount of public and stakeholder consultation for the scheme and Galway County Council and the OPW are presenting the emerging preferred option. The scheme, when completed, is expected to provide protection to 115 properties: 50 residential and 65 commercial.”
“This is a complex scheme but as the Deputy is aware, I made changes to the minor works scheme to allow local authorities to look at measures to facilitate them and the funding is there in that regard. That could be looked at.”
“I thank the Deputy for his kind words. The OPW does good work right across the region and particularly in his constituency, as he has outlined. I get asked to take over this castle or this monument every day of the week, and I do not have an endless pot to do that.”
“The Office of Public Works, OPW, and Galway County Council are working together on the development of the south Galway, Gort lowlands, flood relief scheme with Galway County Council acting as the lead authority.”
“It is not always the case that the OPW is delaying it; we are not. We are working collectively with Galway County Council in this case and with the people. We have had a number of consultations and I will continue to engage with the Deputy and others. I have been invited down to a meeting there shortly.”
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“The process is lengthy and detailed and follows five stages from feasibility through to design, planning and construction. While timelines may vary significantly from project to project, completion of stages 1 to 5 takes, on average, a total of 11 years. Specifically, the five delivery stages are as follows: scheme development and preliminary design, an average of 48 months; planning process or public exhibition and confirmation takes an average of 24 months; detailed design takes an average of 12 months; construction takes an average of 36 months; and, finally, the handover of the works takes an average of 12 months. Any flood relief scheme that is being developed needs to map and understand the location and the flooding sources and constraints.”
“As well as informing where flood relief measures might be required, the flood maps prepared by the OPW are an essential support to sustainable planning and development management, and the effective implementation of the statutory guidelines on planning and flood risk management. The OPW provides support, workshops and seminars to the various planning authorities and reviews all forward planning documents to help ensure that flood risk is taken into account in planning directions and that the guidelines are implemented efficiently. While the OPW strives to expedite the progress of flood relief schemes, major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations that can impact people's lives and the built and natural environment.”
“As with managing existing risks, the first step in managing the potential future risks associated with climate change is to assess what the possible impacts will be, where they are likely to occur and how severe the impact may be. The OPW flood mapping programmes have included projections of future scenarios, taking into account the potential impacts of climate change. As a result, the OPW has comprehensive national information of potential future flooding from rivers and the sea for all areas across the country. These include the impacts of a range of possible scenarios for mid-range to higher end projections, such as a mean sea level rise of 2 m.”
“These are major flood events that can cause significant impact and are often called once-in-a-lifetime floods. In reality, the phrase "one-in-100-year floods" means there is a 1% chance of such floods occurring in any single year. While the likelihood is low, the impact of these floods is significant in terms of the damage caused. The OPW’s work is particularly important in the context of climate change, which will have a significant impact on flooding and flood risk in Ireland due to rising sea levels, increased rainfall in winter, more days of heavy rain and more intense storms. Certain studies indicate that climate change has already had an impact on our climate on the basis of recent flood events. These effects will become stronger over the decades to come.”
“Investment through the national development plan and working in partnership with the local authorities has allowed the OPW to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design planning, or construction to some 100 schemes at this time. Work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally has either been completed or is under way. To date, the OPW has invested €570 million in 55 flood relief schemes, protecting 13,500 properties with an estimated economic benefit to the State in damages or losses avoided of €2 billion. The OPW's major flood relief schemes are typically designed and built to a standard that protects areas against one-in-100-year flood events and coastal areas against one-in-200-year flood events where it is feasible to do so.”
“Many of these schemes are being led by the local authorities in partnership with the OPW. As each scheme is progressed by multidisciplinary teams, designing the optimal technical solution, ensuring a robust approach to environmental assessments, and meeting other regulatory requirements are all essential steps that are required to be undertaken. To assist in the delivery of the of the schemes, the OPW is funding 50 engineering staff in local authorities across Ireland. Nationally, significant progress has been made to date in the delivery of these ambitious programmes to protect communities against flooding from rivers and the sea.”
“As the Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and flood relief at the time, I was pleased to publish the 29 flood risk management plans to address flood risk in Ireland in May 2018. These plans have provided a roadmap for the Government's significant investment in flood relief schemes today, identifying 150 new and additional flood relief schemes that will provide protection to approximately 23,000 homes and businesses in communities across the country. The Government is supporting the delivery of the measures outlined in the flood risk management plans by means of national development plan funding of €1.3 billion to 2030. Progressing this significantly increased programme of flood relief schemes requires capacity and capability in the highest specialised areas of engineering.”
“Arising from increasing flood risk in urban areas, the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 was amended in 1995 to permit the OPW to implement flood relief schemes to provide flood protection for our cities, towns and villages. To identify the communities that are at risk from significant flood events, in 2018, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State. The catchment-based flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme was undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the local authorities. The CFRAM programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect over 95% at risk.”
“These are underpinned by research and data evidence. Prevention is aimed at avoiding or removing flood risk and can be achieved by, for example, avoiding construction on flood plains. Protection is aimed at reducing the likelihood or severity of flood events. This typically involves physical work such as defending at-risk areas against flooding through the delivery of major flood relief schemes. Preparedness includes actions and measures that can be taken to reduce the consequences of flooding. I refer, for example, to informing the public about preparing for the risk of flooding and taking appropriate actions during a flood event. Historically, risk management focused on arterial drainage to improve land for agriculture and to mitigate flooding.”
“It does this through the interdepartmental flood policy co-ordination group. The whole-of-government approach is necessary to support flood risk management. The Departments and the State agencies involved each take a lead in the context of providing efficient supports and policy measures within their areas of responsibility and promoting and addressing community and individual responses. The core policy objective is to reduce to the greatest extent possible the impact of flooding on homes and businesses across the country. In doing so, the OPW provides support for non-structural measures and delivers structural measures, including working closely with local authorities to progress flood relief schemes for the at risk communities nationwide. Flood policies have three key pillars, namely prevention, protection and preparedness.”
“I very much welcome the opportunity to address the House matters relating to flooding. As Deputies are aware, this is a priority issue for the Government. We are focused on the delivery of flood relief management measures to address flooding issues for communities across the country. I will be brief in outlining some of the relevant context, achievements and challenges in relation to actions that have been taken to tackle these flooding problems. I look forward to engaging with the Deputies on the issues and working with them on the delivery of much needed solutions for our communities that are affected by flooding and flood risk. The Office of Public Works, OPW, co-ordinates the whole-of-government approach to manage coastal and river flooding and its social, economic and environmental impact.”
“As I outlined, the Deputy is lucky in the sense that Kilkenny and Donegal have been picked for tranche 2 for the pilot scheme. How we can deliver on tranche 2 is something I am looking closely at within my Department, because we have so many schemes out there. We must not get away from the fact of how many schemes are progressing and are at planning stage, delivery stage, and construction stage. Tranche 2 seems to be somewhat trapped. I am working closely with the local authorities and my Department to see if there is a way to deliver, or even push local authorities to come in for, funding through the minor works schemes. That is something I am looking at. I am trying to change that at present and I hope to have good news on it very shortly.”
“While it is slow, it is progressing. I will visit the area because I gave a commitment that I would. I will do that in due course.”
“It is open to the local authority to apply to the OPW for 90% funding for localised flood mitigation works up to €750,000 through the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. This money is available through the minor works scheme for which the local authority can apply. I, like Deputy Cleere, am sometimes frustrated by the delay in delivering the scheme, but from when you announce the scheme to delivering it, you are looking at 11 years. While I would love to be able to speed up that process, I am constrained by the planning rules and regulations. We have to work closely with all the agencies to deliver on the scheme as well as work closely with the local authorities. In fairness, in terms of the report I outlined, a lot of work is being done in Kilkenny and Carlow. There is a huge amount of delivery of schemes.”
“The OPW is also piloting a new national delivery model for all tranche 2 flood relief schemes, through four tranche 2 schemes across counties Kilkenny and Donegal, including Freshford and Piltown. The pilot is changing how the data for the scheme design is collected by the local authority. Kilkenny County Council is due to appoint a contractor in the coming weeks and go to tender for topography surveys and CCTV surveys before the end of July. In addition to this, the OPW hydrometric section will be installing gauges in Freshford and Piltown to provide data on the river levels.”
“The preferred option for the €26 million Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme to protect 84 properties has been identified. Kilkenny County Council expect to submit this planning permission in quarter 3 of 2025. The €2 million Ballyhale flood relief scheme to protect 28 properties received planning consent in August 2024. Detailed design for the scheme to progress to construction is nearing completion. It is programmed that construction will commence in quarter 1 of 2026 with substantial completion of the scheme in quarter 4 of 2027. The Office of Public Works has carried out a map review of Carlow town and is discussing with the council commencing topographical survey, re-estimation of flood flows and computer modelling to produce flood mapping, to inform the design options for the scheme.”
“The Government is investing a sum of €113 million in flood relief measures completed or under way across counties Kilkenny and Carlow. In 2018, the OPW launched the flood risk management plans. Due to constraints in specialised engineering consultancy services and skills, it is not feasible to concurrently deliver all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the plans. Kilkenny County Council is leading the delivery of flood relief schemes for Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch, Ballyhale, Piltown and Freshford in the first tranche of the schemes and piloting a new national delivery model. The OPW is funding two staff in Kilkenny County Council to project manage the delivery of these schemes. Carlow County Council is leading the delivery of the Carlow town scheme to protect 35 properties.”
“All studies to date will enhance the development of the scheme. I cannot give an up-to-date answer to the second part of the Deputy's question but I will visit his neck of the woods. I know he has raised this issue over and over again. I will meet the local authority to try to move this issue on. The interim works are good and help to alleviate some of the problem but the overall project is the delivery of the major scheme. I want to deliver that and I will work with the Deputy and Department closely on it.”
“Interim measures were carried out but if there are other interim works that can be done, I ask the Deputy to raise them with the local authorities and we will fund them through the Department. We come to this House every week and questions are put to us but I put it to Members that there is a lot we can do ourselves as regards working with the councils. The Government has provided the funding through the minor works scheme and is proactive in ensuring money is spent. In regard to the long-term solution the Deputy is seeking, we are working very closely with the local authorities to develop a plan.”
“I am delighted the Deputy mentioned the interim work. Cork County Council commissioned consultants to complete the design of the interim work on flood measures for Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera. The Office of Public Works approved funding of €500,000 to Cork County Council under the OPW minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for the provision of temporary flood defence measures in the area. The works, which were completed recently, include a sandbag defence structure, increasing the ground level with ramps and the installation of two non-return valves. This is a lot of work and it has been ongoing for some time. The Department is working closely with Cork County Council and the works are advancing. As the Deputy knows, there are options available and the consultants and the Department are working together closely.”
“The likely environmental impact of the preferred option identified the potential impact on the protected freshwater pearl mussel and the necessity to consider a broad range of options to identify the most appropriate approach to managing flood risk prior to seeking consent. Cork County Council is the lead authority and is developing the scope of works for the engineering and environmental consultant to develop the most appropriate approach. The OPW is actively engaging with the local authority to finalise the consultancy brief.”
“There is a long history of flooding in Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera. The Office of Public Works, working in partnership with Cork County Council, is proactively progressing a preferred option for the viable flood relief scheme in Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera that will protect 90 properties from significant risk of flooding. The OPW drafted an options report for a proposed flood relief scheme for the town over an extended period. It includes hydrological analysis, hydraulic modelling and flood mapping. The OPW also developed a river option for flooding alleviation and made a recommendation on a preferred option.”
“I have 100% full confidence in myself as Minister of State and in the OPW. It is a 35-page report with 18 recommendations. Some people criticised the delay regarding the report. That was because I, as Minister of State, wanted to make sure we implemented all the recommendations in the report. We put our hands up. There were mistakes made. We have to improve and we are improving. Based on the final report, I will make sure those recommendations are insisted on and gone through. The OPW and I will work together to ensure better value for money for the taxpayers and people of this country.”
“The audit report makes a number of recommendations about control measures that will enhance capital expenditure practice for these projects. The OPW has internally accepted the implementation of the recommendations in the report. The new guidance approval and oversight of smaller capital projects is now being implemented across the OPW. The management board will review and drive the implementation of the internal audit recommendation to ensure we continue to improve our approach. The commitment to robust governance of the internal audit function within the OPW has been further strengthened by the appointment of an additional member of its team and a head of internal audit principal officer.”
“Following the OPW chairman's report on the bike shelter and his appearance before the Oireachtas committee, he was frank in acknowledging the overall cost of delivering the covered bike shelter at Leinster House was unacceptable in the wider context of value for money and value for the taxpayer. Following his commitment to learn from the bike shelter project, the chairman wanted independent assurance on the practice relating to capital projects under €500,000. In addition, he widened the scope of external review to include the wider internal audit process within the OPW with a view to making improvements. I welcome the published report, which presents internal audit findings, control recommendations and management response.”
“The capital works management framework aims to deliver cost certainty, better value for money, and more efficient project delivery. This is achieved through standardised contracts, guidance notes and a structured approach to project management. The OPW follows this policy instrument to deliver a compliant tender process and construction projects, ensuring that projects achieve value for money, are delivered in an efficient manner and meet the needs of the Government and our clients across the system. In addition, guidance on capital works projects with an estimated value of less than €500,000 has been developed. This new guidance covers approval and oversight for smaller capital works projects and will further strengthen our project oversight, regardless of project size.”
“The publication of the internal audit report by the OPW, following the review of projects costing €500,000 and under is welcome. It follows a commitment to learn from the bike shelter project and presents the internal audit findings, control recommendations and management response. The OPW has accepted and is actively implementing all the recommendations within the report. The internal audit report enables us to focus on continuing to strengthen ways of working across the OPW. The OPW takes a structured approach to delivering value for money across both the capital and current expenditure programmes, with the capital expenditure programme grounded in principles and requirements of infrastructure guidelines and adherence with the capital works management framework.”
“There is a ceiling, however. We work with the Department of housing and there are criteria set out, but we are available to assist where we can. I encourage the Senator to go back to the homeowners with a view to their engaging with the Department. Where we can help, we will not be found wanting. The works fall under the scheme and we have to go along with the guidelines in front of us. The Senator raised a question about Listowel. I have a report and am examining it. I will get back to the Senator on this. As I said to him, I will be visiting Kerry. A date has not been signalled but I assure the Senator that it will be in the very near future. I will work with him, but he can understand where I am coming from in that it is very hard to speak about individual cases when there are so many.”
“It is very difficult to speak about individual cases but I can speak about them one to one. There is a scheme in place, as I have laid out. To date, 31 homes have received a formal offer of financial assistance for relocation. Of these, 24 homeowners have now completed the process, which has enabled them to relocate and purchase or build a replacement home under the scheme. Three of the homeowners who received offers are not proceeding under the scheme and the remaining homeowners are in varying stages of progressing through the scheme for relocation. I assure the Senator that, at all times, the OPW is available to discuss any aspect of the scheme with the homeowners and to assist them with relocation under the scheme. My office is open to working with all families. I was the one who introduced the scheme in 2017.”
“The homeowners have recently communicated with the OPW to inform it that they have been unable to secure a replacement home since the last offer of assistance was accepted by them on 18 June 2024 and have requested additional financial assistance to purchase a replacement property. The OPW will assess this request having regard to the most recent updated local authority acquisition cost guidelines and determine whether an increased offer can be made.”
“These revised offers of financial assistance reflected updated local authority acquisition cost guidelines and unit cost ceilings issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which were applicable at the time of the revised offers. This has ensured that the best offer could be made at those points in time, within the provisions of the scheme. Similar revised offers were made to other applicants under the scheme, who have managed to successfully complete their home relocation. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for the homeowners in question.”
“The offer of assistance accepted by the homeowners was based on the maximum allowance for the purchase or construction of a replacement dwelling house that can be offered, by reference to the local authority acquisition cost guidelines and unit cost ceilings issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as of quarter 2 of 2021. It also included an additional amount in respect of legal, demolition and other costs, in line with the provisions of the scheme. In light of rising construction costs and house prices since the original agreement with the homeowners in March 2022, the Office of Public Works, OPW, made a number of revised offers of financial assistance in 2023 and in 2024.”
“At all times, participation in the scheme by homeowners is voluntary. The property occupied by the homeowners referred to by the Senator was identified by the local authority as having flooded during the relevant flood event of 2015-16. The property has a history of flooding as a result of fluvial flooding during extreme rain events which causes the stream adjacent to the property to burst its banks and an engineering solution is not viable. In line with the provisions of the scheme, an offer of financial assistance was made to the homeowners in 2022 which provided for three options: the purchase of a new or replacement home, the construction of a new home on a site they own, or the purchase of a site and construction of a new home on that site.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The voluntary homeowners relocation scheme was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the very serious flooding of those homes that flooded in the winter of 2015-16, including those homes flooded by turloughs. This is a national scheme of humanitarian assistance, targeting aid at the worst-affected properties, for which there are no alternative feasible measures. To be eligible for assistance under this once-off scheme, a homeowner must 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 building from future flooding.”
“The second is the delivery of the schemes. The third is when they will start and finish. It is my job as Minister of State to pursue that. The Senators referred to Lough Funshinagh. That is a real example of us working together, where all the agencies sit around the table and make progress. I intend to drive that progress across the Office of Public Works, working with all agencies and none. I appreciate the Cathaoirleach's time. I thank him for having me here. The sun is shining but I know too well that it could be raining tomorrow. When people go to bed at night, the last thing they want to hear is the rain and wonder what will happen next. I understand that. I will continue to work with everyone into the future.”
“I believe in much of what was said here today but I also have to look at coastal flooding. In my opening remarks, I said that the last time I was in government, coastal flooding was going to take over. The pressure faced by local authorities, farmers and people in their homes around the country is serious. We have to do whatever is necessary to help them. I will do that, working with the local authorities, but it is not easy because the challenges are big. We have to work together to see out those projects. My door in my office is open to everyone to come up to have a chat, to see where we can find solutions and work together, rather than standing up and having a go at the problem but not actually dealing with it. As I said, I have spoken to a number of councillors around the country. The first thing I am driven by is rivers.”
“I assure the House that we have meetings not weekly but daily, and sometimes hourly. Since I have come back into the fold, we have really ramped up where I have been talking to the local authorities. There is one element of this we have to understand. The minor works scheme is there for the local authorities. When people come into the House and say to me that the OPW is not doing something, I have to say the local authorities drive nearly every scheme. If Senators have an issue, talk to the local authorities, come back to me, and I will do whatever I can as Minister of State. I want to work with those local authorities. I want to work with everybody to help to drive on what we in this room believe is helping communities at large. I know too well the storms that are coming thick and fast. I know about climate change and about nature.”
“The night before I went into government, we had a long discussion about flooding. I gave a commitment when I got the honour of taking up this role that I would deliver and do whatever is necessary to help communities around the country. I will continue to do that. I will work with every Senator in this House, as I work with every TD in the Dáil. I am very active. It might be my birthday and I thank Senators for the best wishes, but I have plenty of energy. Since I have gone back to the Office of Public Works, I have kept it going day and night because I have different ideas and projects that I would like to see help communities. I have to praise the Office of Public Works because the people in it are excellent. They are always there for me when it comes to flood management.”
“I do not like people criticising other Departments. People spoke about the Shannon and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. We all work together. We have worked together in the past. We worked together when I was in this position before. I have no doubt, in meeting all those different models, that we will work together in the future. I talked about the schemes that are coming to completion and the ones that are at construction. We also have to look at the ones at the planning stage. It is significant compared with where we were. In 2018, very little work was being done because the money was not there. The Government stood up to the task and provided money. I, as Minister of State, have to deliver on that. That is a whole-of-government approach. I met the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.”
“I will announce schemes and see if there are blockages or if there is anywhere I can help to speed up the process and drive on schemes, particularly for the people whom the Senators represent and the people of Ireland as a whole. I know too well the suffering; I was there. I carried people out of their homes and watched people standing on tables, hanging on to lights as the water got high. I know too well the pressure that Senators are under, communities are under and, most of all, people are under. It affects the farming community. It affects not just one, but everyone. We have the habitats directive that we have to comply with. I cannot just railroad in machines and say they should do this, that and the other, or I would be at the other end and people would be asking me why I did not follow the proper procedure.”
“There are so many criteria to comply with, including planning, with possible objections, judicial reviews and the habitats directive. I do not want to stand and make excuses. I can say that Government is providing €1.3 billion. It is a huge chunk of money and I have a job to do. There was much talk of river cleaning today. I am actively looking at it. I want to see something happen with it. I am also looking at ways to improve the minor works scheme. We have many flood schemes in tranche 2. I am trying to find a way to help local authorities to advance those. I will be on the road over the next weeks and will be visiting most local authorities around the country.”
“I believe that, in government, you can make decisions, make things happen, and go on to do things for the community, first of all for the people who elected you and, in my role as Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, for people throughout the country. I have been in this position before. I believe that 2018 was the roadmap to help communities across Ireland when it comes to funding, with the significance of the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme. I call it the bible. I call it that for a reason. It gives us a roadmap. As I set out in the early stages, stage 1 to stage 5 is 11 years. Politicians are great when they are announcing a Garda station. They go down, get the cameras and a picture is taken, but they have to wait for ten years. Flooding is the same.”
“I thank Senators again for the opportunity to come before the House today to engage with them directly on flooding matters. I am aware of the significant impact on communities, the distress caused by flooding and the continued flood risk. I have seen first-hand the impact of flooding on people in their homes, their businesses and their farms. I convey my deepest sympathy to all those who are affected by flooding. The OPW is the lead agency for flood risk management. It has a vital role in co-ordinating the delivery of measures to meet the Government's national flood risk policy and leading a comprehensive programme of measures to address flood risk from rivers. I took the opportunity to go back into government. I could have sat on the wings and shouted. I did it for a reason.”
“I thank Senators for their time, work, and commitment to improving society and the lives of citizens, and I appreciate their interest in matters relating to flooding. I look forward to hearing their statements.”
“I have visited a number of these sites and most recently I was pleased to turn on the interim pumping solutions to help manage the flood risk at Lough Funshinagh in County Roscommon. As well as managing significant flood events, the OPW supports local authorities in managing localised flood risk. Under the OPW’s minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme, local authorities can undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. As of the end of 2024, the OPW has approved funding of €68.6 million across 900 unique projects.”
“While timelines may vary significantly from project to project, completion of stages 1 to 5 takes, on average, 11 years in total. Specifically, the five delivery stages are as follows. Stage 1, scheme development and preliminary design, takes an average of 48 months. Stage 2, planning process or public exhibition and confirmation, takes an average of 24 months. Stage 3, detailed design, takes an average of 12 months. Stage 4, construction, takes an average of 36 months. Stage 5, handover of works, takes an average of 12 months. Such schemes will benefit communities in a wide range of counties, including Cork, Clare, Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Tipperary, Mayo and Westmeath.”
“To date, the OPW has invested €570 million in 55 completed flood relief schemes, protecting over 13,500 properties, with an estimated economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided of €2 billion. The OPW's major flood relief schemes are typically designed and built to a standard that protects areas against one-in-100-year flood events and protects coastal areas against one-in-200-year flood events, where it is feasible to do so. These are major flood events that can cause significant impact and are often called once-in-a-lifetime floods. In reality, the term "one-in-100-year floods" means there is a 1% chance of them occurring in any single year. While the likelihood is low, the impact of these floods is significant in terms of damage.”
“Each scheme is progressed by a design team. Designing the optimal technical solution, ensuring a robust approach to environmental assessments and meeting other regulatory requirements are all essential steps. To assist in the delivery of the first tranche of flood relief schemes, the OPW is funding 50 engineering staff in local authorities across Ireland. Nationally, significant progress has been made to date in the delivery of this ambitious programme to protect communities against flooding from rivers and the sea. Investment through the national development plan and working in partnership with local authorities has allowed the OPW to triple the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning or construction to some 100 schemes. Today, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or under way.”
“As the then Minister of State with special responsibility for the OPW and flood relief, I was pleased to publish the 29 flood risk management plans to address flood risk in Ireland in May 2018. Those plans provide the roadmap for the Government's investment in flood relief schemes today, identifying some 150 new and additional flood relief schemes that will provide protection to approximately 23,000 homes and businesses in communities across the country. The Government is supporting the delivery of the measures outlined in these plans by means of national development plan funding of €1.3 billion to 2030. Progressing this significantly increased programme of flood relief schemes requires capacity and capability in highly specialised areas of engineering. Many of these schemes are being led by local authorities in partnership with the OPW.”
“Historically, flood risk management focused on arterial drainage to improve land for agriculture and mitigate flooding. Arising from an increasing flood risk to urban areas, the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 was amended in 1995 to permit the OPW to implement flood relief schemes to provide flood protection for cities, towns and villages. To identify communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State in 2018. The OPW catchment-based flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme was undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the local authorities. The CFRAM programme studied 80% of Ireland's primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect from 95% of that risk.”