Brian Stanley
Question:67. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital funding being provided for works in Mountmellick on flood relief. [43885/18]
View answerWednesday, 24 October 2018
Questions (67, 77)
Brian Stanley
Question:77. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding is available for immediate short-term works for river channel clearing in Mountmellick, County Laois. [43884/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 77 together.
In relation to the immediate short-term works for the town of Mountmellick, the Office of Public Works’ representatives on the steering group have advised Laois County Council that there is the option to apply for minor works funding for interim defences.
As I have previously stated, Laois County Council have confirmed that maintenance works commenced on the River Owenass in Mountmellick following the most recent flood event, and a summary of these works are as follows:
- Irishtown Bridge on the N80 has had silt and vegetation removed from the eye of the bridge, improving capacity and conveyance
- At the Convent Bridge on the R422, the third eye has been cleaned and both the upstream and downstream approaches have had vegetation and silt build up removed.
- Works are ongoing on the stretch of river between the above-mentioned bridges clearing vegetation (above current low water level) with tree/limb cutting to commence next week to remove any potential impediments in the channel. Once vegetation is cleared, it is anticipated that bank repairs will be necessary where slippages are evident. Repairs will be undertaken as required.
- Any fallen trees and potential debris blockages have been removed when observed or upon receipt of notification of same.
- Cleaning of a number of feeder drains/streams to the Owenass and Barrow has taken place with further works planned throughout this month.
I recognise the critical importance of drainage maintenance to flood risk management and I have written to the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government on the current funding constraints some Councils have highlighted to meet their statutory maintenance obligations. On an exceptional and once-off basis I have made available €50,000 to Laois County Council towards its overall costs for the drainage maintenance in 2018.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study carried out by the Office of Public Works resulted in the publication of the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP’s). These FRMP’s identified a viable solution for the flooding problem in the town of Mountmellick, and the cost of implementing this plan is estimated at €4.7 million. As such, the Office of Public Works has allowed for this funding in its capital works budget.
A steering group has been established for the progression of the Mountmellick project, and is made up of representatives from Laois County Council and the Office of Public Works. This steering group has been working together over the last number of months to collect the relevant data in order to compose a detailed brief for the procurement of engineering consultants, and it is hoped that this contract will be advertised by the end of the year. Once the consultants are procured, they will use the data collected throughout the CFRAM study, and the local data collected by the steering group, to assess further the solution identified in the FRMP’s. The cost of implementing flood defences for the town will be reviewed in the light of this further analysis. However, we are confident that the solution will remain cost beneficial.