Minister of State for the Office of Public Works

Address by Mr. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran T.D.,

and Flood Relief

‘Be Winter Ready’ Launch

National Emergency Co-ordination Centre

Dublin

November 8, 2017

Introduction

I am delighted to join my Ministerial colleagues today to jointly launch the Government’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign.

I endorse both the emphasis today on creating awareness for the elderly and its importance outlined by my colleague Mr. Simon Harris T.D., Minister for Health.

Today is also a reminder to people and communities to plan and make preparations for the Winter ahead and is an opportunity to share with you the Government’s investment, plans and preparations to tackle flood risk.

Government Investment to Date

Ireland is more prepared than ever to tackle flood risk from the significant investment being made to tackle flooding. This investment includes:

the 39 major flood defence schemes completed, 10 at construction and 26 at design.

a further 600 local projects funded under the OPW's Minor Works scheme.

650,000 acres of agricultural land are protected through the programmed maintenance of 11,500 km of river channels by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts.

The Government’s capital expenditure on flood relief schemes and other measures are yielding an estimated benefit to the State of €1.5 billion in damages and losses avoided through protection to more than 14,000 households and many businesses.

The Government’s commitment to continue prioritising investment in flood relief is underpinned by the allocation of €430m for flooding in the Capital Plan 2016 – 2021. This allocation will allow for the continued implementation of the existing programme of flood relief projects and the progression of works arising from the CFRAM Programme. I would mention in particular that work on the first phase of the largest flood relief scheme ever undertaken in the country in Cork city is due to commence in 2018.

The scheme which the OPW has developed in collaboration with Cork City Council will provide flood protection to over 2,100 properties in the city including some 900 commercial properties with an estimated cost of €140 million. I very much welcome the progress that has been made in advancing this very important scheme and I look forward to the commencement of construction next year.

CFRAM

Future investment in flood defence schemes is being informed by the output from the CFRAM programme, the largest planning for flood risk ever undertaken by the State.

This Programme has involved extensive engineering analysis and over 500 individual public consultation days. The OPW has presented the maps, issues, options and proposed measures for discussion with people, face-to-face, in those 300 at risk communities as well as to locally elected representatives.

In recent months the OPW received approximately 4,000 individual submission topics from the public on the draft flood Risk Management Plans. Each of these have now been considered and allowed for a constructive review of aspects of the draft Plans.

This consultation has provided one of the last elements of evidence and information to finalise the Plans. As required the environmental assessments associated with each Plan is currently being independently reviewed and will be reflected into the final Plans.

I am hopeful that I will seek before the end of this year the approval for these 29 Flood Risk Management Plans from Mr. Paschal Donohoe T.D., Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.

The Plans will provide the evidence to inform and prioritise those measures that can tackle flooding across the country.

Planning for flood risk takes time by highly specialised and skilled personnel. As witnessed in towns where schemes are completed there is only chance to get the design right. Design involves making sure that fixing a risk in one area does not create one elsewhere. Hence flood risk planning for one location requires planning for the river catchment. Proper planning therefore is critical, takes significant investment of timethat yields best returns for people, communities and Government.

Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme

The Flood Risk Management Plans will also emphasise the importance of non-structural measures to support the whole of Government approach adopted to tackle flood risk management.

There are a range of these measures already in place including:

•planning guidelines promoting sustainable planning and development,

•improved national and local emergency flood response plans, and

•guidance to households and businesses on planning for a flood event. Today’s event and the Be Winter Ready campaignare important and successful aspects of this initiative.

Further information for people and businesses on planning for a flood event is available on the OPW website, or in the OPW booklet Plan, Prepare and Protect.

Since I came into Ministerial Office I have been working with Local Authorities to identify engineering solutions for those homeowners that flooded in 2015, or that maybe considered for voluntary home relocation, in line with the Government decision earlier this year.

While a detailed exercise to consider all planned and possible engineering solutions for those worst affected homesis ongoing, I would expect that officials from my Office will start in the coming weeks the staged process of contacting a small number of homeowners.These homeowners will be invited to meet with the OPW to outline the scope of the voluntary homeowners relocation scheme, including how their individual flood risk maybe further assessed.

Conclusion

Government cannot solve all flooding problems overnight and importantly it cannot do it alone. It needs people and communities to play a role and that is the crucial message of today’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign.

I and my colleagues are very happy to support this initiative.