Below is up to date information on how the flood defence works along the Dodder are progressing, as of 7th December 2012:

Landsdowne Road
The works on the left bank are still not completed – a section of wall is still to be finished and the haul road has to be removed. However, this will be done in the next few weeks with a possibility that it will be done before Christmas. If not though, it will be completed shortly afterwards.

Licenced Vintners Embankment
Mobilisation for works at the embankment is currently underway, with works to commence very soon and running into the first half of 2013. The planned works are greater than originally anticipated in this area.

Beatty’s Avenue
The emergency works at Beatty’s Avenue are still ongoing with quite a lot of the work already completed. However, as previously indicated, this is a substantial piece of work and is expected to be completed in Quarter 2, 2013.

Phases upstream of tidal section of Dodder
Part 8 planning for the works up to Ballsbridge is being handled by Dublin City Council. However the Dodder Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan (CFRAMP) must be passed by the City Council before this Part 8 can be adopted. It is expected to go before the Council towards the end of Quarter 1 next year, following a two month consultation process

Met Éireann has forecast heavy rain and high winds in Dublin today, Wednesday 15th August.

As a precaution the tide gates on the River Dodder have been closed . All rivers and streams will be monitored throughout the day and crews will be in place to respond to any localised flooding.

For flooding and drainage issues please contact Dublin City Council Drainage Department on 01 222 2155.

Met Éireann has forecast heavy rain and high winds in Dublin today, Wednesday 15th August.

As a precaution the tide gates on the River Dodder have been closed . All rivers and streams will be monitored throughout the day and crews will be in place to respond to any localised flooding.

For flooding and drainage issues please contact Dublin City Council Drainage Department on 01 222 2155.

To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding flood insurance – Eoghan Murphy.

Ref No: 23701/12

REPLY

Minister for Finance ( Mr Noonan) : I am advised by the Irish Insurance Federation that flood insurance cover is currently available to approximately 98% of householders in Ireland.  Neither the Central Bank nor I, as Minister for Finance, can compel insurance companies to quote for business. The decision to provide any specific form of insurance cover, and the price at which it is offered, is a commercial matter based on the assessment of the risks involved. There are no provisions in the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code to compel an insurance company to accept a particular insurance risk.

However, I wish to inform you that the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and his officials are engaged in discussions with the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) in relation to the difficulties experienced by certain householders in obtaining insurance cover for flood risk.

These discussions have allowed a sharing of information and understanding about the scope and scale of the work undertaken by the OPW on flood risk management and, in particular, on the mapping of areas subject to flood risk nationally which will emerge from the OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management programme (CFRAM).   This programme is a national initiative to systematically identify, assess, document and report on the most significant flood risks throughout the country.  This work is being undertaken on OPW’s behalf by specialist consultants and is organised into six separate regional or catchment areas.  These comprehensive studies will recommend an integrated management plan and prioritised measures to address flood problems in areas where there is significant risk in each major catchment in the country.

The discussions between the OPW and the IIF have also focused on how the insurance industry can best address the issue of the provision of flood insurance where incidences of difficulties in obtaining flood insurance are being raised.  The insurance industry considers that this incidence is marginal and has indicated that where it arises the causes are complex with each case being assessed in light of the particular circumstances applying.  The OPW and the IIF are keen to establish a sustainable means of sharing information on areas vulnerable to flooding and on identifying flood defence works carried out or funded by the OPW and the impact of those works in reducing the risk of flooding in areas where flooding previously occurred. A number of issues are being clarified with a view to agreement being reached on a viable basis on which information can be provided.

In tandem with these developments, the Irish National Flood Forum, which is a voluntary body representing communities affected by flooding, plans to undertake a survey to gather as much information as possible from their member organizations.  Details of what will be involved should be available shortly on the Forum’s website www.irishnationalfloodforum.com. The information gathered by the Forum will be a useful input into the deliberative process on this subject.

The link below is an interim report on the extreme flooding event of 24th October 2011 which was submitted to the Strategic Policy Committee in December 2011, further short term works have been carried out where possible. In addition, staff of the Drainage Division have completed a series of meetings with each of the Area Committees to update them on specific issues within their areas.

Click Flooding Report March 2012 for more details.

The 2004 Dublin Coastal Flood Risk Assessment Study (DCFRAS) identified the lower Dodder as one of several coastal locations at high risk of coastal flooding. A report to reduce flood risk from both tidal and fluvial on the tidal section of the Lower Dodder events was completed in January 2007 by Dublin City Council (DCC) with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). Following discussions with the Council, OPW agreed to undertake construction of the works directly with Dublin City Council project managing the project and the design. These works commenced in September 2007 at Ringsend Bridge moving upstream to Newbridge. The works have been undertaken on a phased basis by OPW. Works are currently ongoing between New Bridge and Lansdowne Railway Bridge. This will complete the final phase of the coastal risk reduction measures.

The following Programme, compiled by Dublin City Council, sets out the schematic timeframe of the current works and the possible timeframe for future works ( Note that the staffing of the city Council Flood defence team has reduced significantly since 2008 and may well reduce further post February 2012 which could compromise programme if not addressed).

Marian College & Lansdowne Road

Construction works are currently being carried out from Newbridge to Lansdowne Rail Bridge.

The key elements of these works are:

• Reconstruction of 60m of Quay wall damaged by flooding of October 2011.
• Construction of a reinforced concrete flood defence wall
• Masonry cladding to reinforced concrete wall
• Installation of flood gates
• Installation of railings to match previous phases of the Dodder Flood Defence Scheme

The works on the opposite bank on Lansdowne Road are currently at detailed design stage and are programmed to be constructed in 2012.

Emergency Works

Dublin City Council has identified the following key elements as emergency works arising from the recent flooding in October 2011. Further discussion will be required between DCC and OPW in relation to the programming of the following list of works and possible inclusion under Minor Works Programme.

• River emergency maintenance and reconstruction of Licensed Vintners embankment Q1-Q2 2012.
• Construction of concrete wall upstream of Licensed Vintners, structural investigation March 2012.
• Reconstruction of flood wall at Sweepstakes development, DCC preparing Manager’s Order to have this classified as emergency works.
• Repairing river wall beside entrance to RDS at Anglesea Road
• Further emergency works have been identified and are scheduled to be completed in Q1 and Q2 2012.

Londonbridge / Newbridge – Bridge parapet raising

These works consist of raising the existing parapet walls to the design flood levels. They will require approval of Dublin City Council under Planning & Development Acts 2000-2006, Planning & Development Regulations 2001-2006 Part 8 procedures.

Phases upstream of tidal section covered by Dodder CFRAM Study

The Dodder Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment Management (CFRAM) Study, currently being undertaken, has identified a number of flood defence measures required between the Lansdowne railway bridge and Donnybrook. These outline proposals contained in the CFRAMS require detailed design and further environmental assessment.

Arup consultancy services have commenced working for Dublin City Council to carry out all site investigation, environmental requirements, and draft planning permissions by September 2012 on works Phases from the railway bridge to Smurfit weirs which involve reconstruction or structural strengthening of existing flood defences and these may be considered as emergency works to align with adoption of Dodder CFRAMS by the three relevant councils.

The Environmental Impact Statement for these phases of flood defence works is programmed to be completed by Q.1 of 2013 and submitted to An Bord Pleanala. Construction timescales will be determined by An Bord Pleanala approvals at which stage more definite construction schedules can be advised.

Dublin Flood Initiative

The Dublin Flood Initiative, created by Dublin City after 2002 floods, manages risk from the main flood risks comprising:

• Coastal Flooding
• River Flooding
• Dam Failure
• Pluvial Flooding (Monster Rain which exceeds capacity of drainage system)
• Infrastructure failure
• Combinations of above.

The above Dodder works will address the Coastal and River flooding risk. Coastal flooding risk of the seafront at Sandymount was considered as part of S2S scheme and an assessment will be carried out in 2012 of the potential for local improvement works in advance of S2S project.

The Dams at Bohernabreena, on the upstream catchment of the River Dodder, were strengthened in 2004 to deal with calculated extreme events.

Pluvial modelling carried out as part of EU INTERREG Project Flood Resilient Cities is due for completion in Q2 2012. It will map the risk and identify guidance on flood resilience for new development and existing development including over 16,000 basements at high risk in the City. The River Dodder Catchment in the City is included in this study.

Financial Expenditure

OPW anticipates its annual expenditure on the River Dodder to be between €1M and €2M over the next four years and has profiled accordingly.

Astro high tides over the above period are forecast to be highest tomorrow, Wednesday 25^th January at 12.44pm. This is forecast to reach a level of 2.27m Malin (4.78 mLAT), is just below the 2.3m Malin Tidewatch level, also below the 2.5m Tide Alert and 2.7m Severe Tide Alert levels.

In view of the high tide prediction, the three tide gates from London Bridge Road up to Newbridge Avenue will be closed. In addition to this, the Merrion Gates barrier and the two barriers at the Aviva Stadium and Derrynane Gardens and will also be erected.

This is merely a precaution and an opportunity for DCC Crews to gain expertise in the operation of the barriers and the Tidal Flood defence gates. The Drainage & Waste Water Services Department will be carrying out the various works set out above from 9am tomorrow morning.

For more information, please contact the South East Area Office in Dublin City Council on 01 222 5139.

A report to reduce flood risk on the Lower Dodder from both tidal and fluvial events was completed in January 2007 by Dublin City Council with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). Following discussions with the Council, OPW agreed to undertake the works directly and these works commenced in September 2007 at Ringsend Bridge and moving upstream to Newbridge. The works have been undertaken on a phased basis with approximately €8.5M expended so far. Works are currently ongoing between New Bridge and Lansdowne Railway Bridge.

The following Programme, compiled by Dublin City Council, sets out the timeframe of the current works and the likely timeframe for future works.

PROGRAMME FOR DODDER WORKS

Marian College & Lansdowne Road

Construction works are currently being carried out by OPW  from Newbridge to Lansdowne Rail Bridge.

The key elements of these works are:

• Construction of a reinforced concrete flood defence wall
• Masonry claddinig to reinforced concrete wall
• Installation of flood gates
• Installation of railings to match previous phases of the Dodder Flood Defence Scheme

The works on the opposite bank on Lansdowne Road are currently at detailed design stage and will be constructed in 2012.

Emergency Works

Dublin City Council has identified the following key elements as emergency works arising from the recent flooding. Further discussion will be required between DCC and OPW in relation to the programming of the following list of works and possible inclusion under Minor Works Programme.

• Raising Licensed Vintners embankment
• Raising concrete wall upstream of Licensed Vintners
• Raising wall at Beatty’s cottages and
• Repairing river wall beside entrance to RDS at Anglesea Road
• Further emergency works may be identified when an assessment of the recent flood event            has been completed

Londonbridge / Newbridge

These works consist of raising the existing parapet walls to the design flood levels.

Further Phases

The Dodder Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment Management (CFRAM) Study, currently being undertaken, has identified a number of flood defence measures required between the Lansdowne railway bridge and Donnybrook. These outline proposals contained in the CFRAMS require detailed design and further environmental assessment.

Dublin City Council will appoint consultancy services for these Phases in the near future to carry out all site investigation, environmental requirements, and draft planning permissions by September 2012, at which point the Dodder CFRAMS can be adopted by the three relevant councils.

The Environmental Impact Statement for these phases of flood defence works is programmed to be completed by Q.1 of 2013 and submitted to An Bord Pleanala, if the Council decide to progress them through their normal planning process.

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D, and the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan TD today (8th November 2011) announced that the Government has agreed to set up a Humanitarian Assistance Scheme with an allocation of up to €10 million to provide means-tested financial support to people who have suffered damage to their homes as a result of the recent flooding.

The Government has also established a cross-Departmental/Agency Working Group, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to oversee the State’s collective response to those affected by the flooding.

The working Group* will identify any gaps that may exist within existing services to address the consequences of the flooding for individuals, families and communities.  If additional services are required, including humanitarian assistance, the Group will report to Government with proposals to address these issues.

Minister Burton said: “I have been to visit many of the families who have suffered from the flooding and I have seen first hand the damage to some people’s homes.’’

Minister Hogan said: “I welcome the establishment of this Group which will work in a speedy and focused way to ensure that those who require the assistance of the State following the severe flooding of 24 October get it.  It will build on the enormous work already done on the ground by Community Welfare Officers, the Irish Red Cross, Local Authorities and others.’’

Minister Burton said:  “The Government recognises the devastation suffered by many families arising from these floods.  Staff from the Department of Social Protection (former Community Welfare Officers) have already made house to house calls to individuals they have identified as being vulnerable at this difficult time. In addition, emergency clinics have been established in the worst affected areas to offer help to households. Payments are currently being made to families who need urgent financial assistance with basics such as food, clothing and bedding. This funding will continue to be disbursed to individuals and families as required.

The main details of the Humanitarian Assistance Fund are as follows:

• It will be administered on the ground by staff from the Department of Social Protection (former Community Welfare Officers),
• It will provide hardship alleviation assistance, as opposed to full compensation, to householders affected by the flooding.
• Damage to a person’s home and its basic contents, such as carpets, flooring, furniture, household appliances and bedding, will be the main criteria. Structural damage may also be considered.
• Eligibility will be subject to a means test.
• Assistance will not be given for losses which are covered by insurance.
• Commercial and business losses will not qualify for humanitarian assistance.
• Applications will be prioritised so that the most urgent ones can be dealt with very quickly.

“I am conscious that for some families it could be weeks if not months before the damage to their homes is fully apparent. I would like to reassure families that this humanitarian assistance scheme will be there for them in the months ahead,’’ Minister Burton concluded.

Flooding in Dublin South-East, Monday 9.15pm

Message just received from Dublin City Council:

Due to severe rainfall this evening the Major Emergency Plan for Dublin has been activated to deal with the flooding.

http://www.dublincity.ie/WATERWASTEENVIRONMENT/MAJOR_EMERGENCY_PLANNING/Pages/MajorEmergencyPlanning.aspx

Flooding in Dublin South East, Monday 8pm

Reports are coming in from various parts of the constituency about flooding on public roads and in houses and flats due to the continuing heavy downpour.

Out of hours and emergency numbers for Dublin City Council are currently not working. This matter is being looked in to. Council staff have been called out to deal with blocked gullies and drains. However problems are being experienced throughout the city.

The primary response service in this instance is Dublin Fire Brigade. Every unit is currently out on call dealing with individual cases of flooded homes as well as broken down cars and other flooding related issues. Extra services have been called in but the Fire Brigade can only deal with problems on a call by call basis. People who are experiencing flooding in their homes are asked to get in touch with their local station and to remain patient as they will be dealt with in turn.

Updates will follow as we have them.