Kevin Boxer Moran

Which question is this?

I do not have the reply. I understood that it had been changed. I do not have it.

I will. I will come back to the Deputy. I am sorry about that.

I congratulate the Deputy. In the past, I had a great working relationship with his predecessor, so I look forward to working with him in the future. To date, six communities across Cork county are protected from significant flood risk by completed flood relief schemes. Through the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme, the largest study of flood risk was completed by t…

I set out the details regarding Rathcormac. There is availability through the minor works scheme for the local authority to come to my Department to seek funding under that scheme, while we wait for the bigger scheme. We are looking at a pilot scheme for tranche 2, which Rathcormac comes under, but the pilot scheme is not yet finished. I understand it is a year from completion. The minor works sc…

In the first instance, it is the responsibility of each local authority to investigate and address local coastal protection. The minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection schemes were introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the schemes is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood or coastal erosion mitigation works or…

I did not get to finish my response earlier. I assure the Deputy that we are considering natural methods of protection. We talk about fluvial flooding but coastal erosion is becoming a huge problem. I have seen it in the past, including when I served here with responsibility for the OPW, and I expect it in the future. It will be a major problem. All people, not only those in the OPW but also all …

I have to apologise to the Deputy. I am new in the game and have not got the response to the question with me. However, I will send it on to the Deputy.

Nationally, 55 flood relief schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 13,500 properties and an economic benefit to the State, with damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. In 2018, to facilitate the development of a programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study called the national catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFR…

The local authority can apply for funding under the OPW’s minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme to address flooding experienced in Tallow. The purpose of this scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies costing up to €750,000 to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their adminis…

As I said, the OPW will provide assistance to the local authority but the latter needs to drive the scheme and push it on. The money and the minor works scheme are in place. All the local authority has to do is put forward its proposals through the scheme. My engineers and staff are meeting local authorities in the Deputy's area and we will see what comes out of that.