James Browne
Question:73. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flood relief schemes in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52596/18]
View answerThursday, 13 December 2018
Questions (73)
Written answers
The position on flood relief schemes in County Wexford is as follows:
Work on the development of the proposed Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme is progressing well. A public information day was held in June 2018 which was very well attended and provided some important feedback on the proposed scheme. A formal Public Exhibition of the scheme is planned for early 2019. Following this the detailed design of the scheme will be finalised which will allow an application to be made to the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform for confirmation of the scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts. Subject to the proposed scheme receiving approval it is anticipated that construction will commence in 2020.
An outline flood relief scheme has been identified for Wexford Town under the CFRAMS program and this was included among the 50 priority schemes to be progressed in an initial tranche of flood projects announced by Minister of State Moran on 3 May 2018. Wexford County Council (WCC) and the OPW are working in collaboration to bring this scheme forward. The initial task will be to appoint consultants to develop the detailed design of the scheme and this is in hands.
WCC, in conjunction with its consultants RPS, has investigated the problem of coastal erosion and flooding at Rosslare and has identified initial proposals to address these problems. Further study is required to identify the most financially, environmentally, and technically viable measures, and the OPW and WCC are working together in considering this.
Flood defence works in New Ross are substantially completed by WCC. The OPW is currently considering potential funding support for the WCC scheme in the town.
There are currently no applications on hand from Wexford County Council under the OPW's Minor Flood Works and Coastal Protection Scheme
A coastal minor works project at Arthurstown was completed in 2018, and funding of €126,000 was approved for a project at Wexford Racecourse in 2018.
Minor Works projects at Donaghmore Graveyard & Ballyhack were completed in 2016.
Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 69.