Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2019
55. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a follow-up meeting between his Department, OPW officials, local Oireachtas members and a committee (details supplied) in County Donegal is being planned to discuss a major capital flood mitigation project; if so, when such a meeting will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40763/19]
View answerFifteen projects were identified in County Donegal arising from the Flood Risk Management Plans that I announced in May 2018. Following consultation and discussions between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Donegal County Council (DCC), six of the Donegal projects have been selected to be progressed in the first phase of implementation.
The proposed flood relief scheme for Ballybofey and Stranorlar is not in the first phase of projects to be advanced. However, both the OPW and Donegal County Council will work closely to ensure that the project will be progressed as early as possible. The proposed scheme for Ballybofey and Stranorlar consists of hard defences and improvement of channel conveyance.
Funding of €157,500 was approved in 2018 to Donegal County Council under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a project at Ballybofey and Stranorlar. The works comprise the removal of vegetation and trees on the embankment, the removal of silt, gravels and boulder deposits and construction of pumps / pumping areas and ground investigation works along the flood embankments. The project is being led by Donegal County Council.
No arrangements are currently made or planned for a follow up meeting but I am happy to have a further meeting to discuss this matter subject to existing diary commitments.
