To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) for his assessment of coastal flooding modelling, such as Climate Central’s Coastal Risk Screening Tool, and its identification of areas of the north coast that are likely to become vulnerable to flooding within the next decade; and (ii) to detail any plans he has to explore options for coastal flooding defences in the identified areas.

My Department has published flood maps for all of the North. These maps identify areas which may be vulnerable to both present day and projected climate change impacts associated with river, surface and coastal flooding. The maps are available to view at: Flood Maps NI | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk).

Climate Central is an American independent group that use their own sources and methods to apply climate change scenarios to nations worldwide. The Department does not contribute to these models and cannot comment on the accuracy of the outputs.

However, a regional Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) for 2021 – 2027 has been developed by my Department. The development of this plan has, utilised industry accepted flood modelling techniques, and identified areas of existing and potential flood risk, including area subject to coastal flood risk. The FRMP is readily available on the Department’s website at: 2nd Cycle - Flood Risk Management Plan 2021-2027 | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk).

The FRMP includes a range of interventions to manage flood risk from a range of sources. As part of this work my Department is currently progressing various detailed flood studies and is also currently progressing the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme (BTFAS). The scheme aims to provide a long-term approach to tidal flood risk management for the City. The scheme takes into account the latest projections on climate change and also allows for future adaption to mitigate against potential sea level rises.