Vol. 564 No. 5
13 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the funding committed and the action taken to prevent further flooding of homes adjacent to the River Tolka in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10103/03]
As the House is aware, the Tolka river has a history of flooding going back many years. To devise a long-term solution to this problem the Office of Public Works concluded that a detailed study of the entire river catchment should be carried out so that a comprehensive flood relief scheme along the length of the river could be designed. This proposal was given added impetus following the floods in November 2002.
At the same time, Dublin City Council, in conjunction with Fingal and Meath County Councils, was in the process of commissioning a study of the surface water and foul water drainage requirements of the greater Dublin area. This was known as the greater Dublin strategic drainage study. At the suggestion of the Office of Public Works the city council agreed to include the flood study of the Tolka in the GDSDS. This work commenced in June 2001 with the intention of producing a final report in May 2003. The Office of Public Works is funding the River Tolka element of the GDSDS at a total cost of €870,000.
Following the severe flooding along the River Tolka on 14 and 15 November 2002, the three local authorities concerned, Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and Meath County Council, requested the consultants carrying out the study on flooding on the river to produce interim reports setting out what measures could be taken, in the immediate term, to alleviate flooding in the worst affected areas. The interim report for the Dublin City Council area was received in January and contained 21 recommendations on flood alleviation measures. This work was costed at approximately €7.3 million.
The report was presented to the members of Dublin City Council and was examined in great detail by council and Office of Public Works officials. A package of works in the Glasnevin and Drumcondra areas which could be implemented quickly was agreed. At the request of the city council, the Office of Public Works agreed to provide funding, personnel and equipment for the work.
The programme of works entailed the replacement and raising of Woodville Road footbridge and the realignment of footpaths. Work on the new bridge started in early March. Part of the concrete bases has been poured and the bridge is expected to be completed in June when work on paths will begin.
Construction and raising of walls and embankments at various locations between Glasnevin and Drumcondra has also commenced. Work on the construction of a new 60 metre long wall at the BK Motors site adjoining Drumcondra Bridge has started and will be completed by the end of June. Work on raising walls downstream of Woodville Road footbridge will commence after the bridge is replaced. The south bank wall will be 25 metres in length and the north bank wall will be 60 metres long.
The ground level near senior citizens accommodation linking to the wall of Tolka Park has been raised and new revetment to channel to prevent erosion will begin in May. Work recently commenced on raising the bank and wall at the southern bank adjoining Drumcondra Bridge in the park.
Other works, which have been ongoing since early January, include the cleaning of the channel from Distillery Weir, Drumcondra, to Glasnevin to remove accumulated silt and debris. The cleaning is practically completed. The construction of embankments along both sides of Griffith Park has also been ongoing since January. Material from the port tunnel excavation has been delivered and the south bank has been constructed and top soil laid. Landscaping will be ongoing for the next two weeks. The northern bank will be completed later in summer. The total cost of these works is likely to be in the region of €700,000 to €800,000.
Additional InformationA significant amount of other work is recommended in the interim report. Not all the recommendations are being implemented at this time, as they would take quite a considerable period to implement due to the requirements for site investigations, detailed design of the works and environmental considerations. The concern of the city council, with which I concur, was to agree on a meaningful package of works which could be carried out quickly in advance of next winter to provide some protection in the event of a recurrence of the flooding of last November. I am confident we will achieve this aim through the combined work of the city council and the Office of Public Works. We must also be mindful that the full report on the River Tolka catchment is due to be completed shortly. This should provide additional information on which decisions on the entire catchment can be made.
How much funding was allocated to the Tolka flood relief scheme which was costed in the consultants' interim report at €9 million? Was that amount allocated for the scheme? How much of the allocation has been spent to date? Is the Minister of State aware that local residents believe the only part of the River Tolka receiving proper attention is the stretch opposite the Taoiseach's office in Drumcondra? Is this fair? Why is no work being done between Drumcondra Bridge and East Wall or on behalf of the residents of Clonliffe Road, Richmond Road or Clonturk Park? I challenge the Minister of State to inform the House what is being done in these areas. What is being done about the major drainage problems in the area caused by antiquated drainage systems?
Is the Minister of State aware that no river wall is planned for the rear of numbers 1 to 27 Botanic Avenue despite the recommendation of consultants that one be built? Instead, the Office of Public Works wants to construct an embankment on this stretch of the river. Is the reason for this to save money? This is the only stretch along the River Tolka where there will be no wall.
Will the Minister of State urgently listen to the views of local residents, many of whom have suffered tremendous hardship and serious damage to their kitchens and sitting rooms? Repair work to their homes is still ongoing and many residents are moving out of their homes for months to facilitate them. I urge the Minister of State to provide the funds necessary to assist these people.
The Office of Public Works responded to the request of Dublin City Council to come into the area. As the Deputy will be aware, the full report will be published in May. In terms of the urgency of the project, there was no point in waiting for environmental impact statements. I have visited the area and walked along the river bank to view the completed works. I am sure the Deputy will agree the cleaning of the full length of the river has made a tremendous impact.
Work on the project is ongoing. The Office of Public Works, in conjunction with city council engineers, will undertake a review to establish what further work is required. The €800,000 being spent is showing tremendous benefits. It appears, at least from my layman's perspective, that the works will hinder further flooding. When the full report is published in May, a decision will have to be taken on what further moneys need to be spent and if they are available.
I thank the Minister of State for visiting the area. There is widespread anger and hurt among local residents who feel let down. I accept the Minister of State's point on the benefits of the works carried out on the River Tolka, which I have seen. On the issues of compensation and assistance and the prevention of further flooding, it is essential we all work with the Department and Dublin City Council.
