To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether any evaluation has been undertaken concerning the effectiveness of installations that have been made under the Flood Protection Grant Scheme.

My Department’s Homeowner Flood Protection Grant Scheme aims to encourage the owners of homes, located in areas of flood risk, to make modifications to their properties in order for them to be more resistant to flooding. A key element of the scheme is a ‘wet test’ of the flood resistance measures that are installed to demonstrate that they are effective.

In addition an evaluation of the Scheme, undertaken earlier this year, included a survey of applicants that had works completed. The responses to the survey indicated that the vast majority of responders did not identify any issue with the effectiveness of the measures installed. My Department’s officials will, where possible, continue to engage with homeowners and investigate any issues of non-performance with the measures installed under the scheme as I am keen to ensure any lessons that can be learned are understood to further improve performance in this area of work.