Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2019
59. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made in the planned flood relief scheme for the Castleconnell area of County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41006/19]
View answerAs part of the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, was identified as being one of 300 areas believed to be of significant flood risk. As of the launch of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans nationally in May 2018, an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country are to be progressed to planning, detailed design and construction; including the five largest schemes identified in the Plans, 14 other flood relief schemes, and 31 small projects (with an estimated preliminary project budget of under €1 million), which will be progressed directly by Local Authorities. The proposed flood relief scheme for Castleconnell is included in the 31 small projects under €1 million.
In January this year Limerick City and County Council invited tenders for Engineering and Environmental Consultants for the development of a flood relief scheme in Castleconnell. A preferred tenderer was identified and has now been appointed to progress the Castleconnell scheme.
Subject to project-level assessment, viable flood relief works for Castleconnell might include construction of a new flood defence wall, embankment and floodgates, and raising roads in key locations, along with maintaining the existing flood forecasting and public awareness campaign operated by the ESB.
A project steering group is in place for the Castleconnell Flood Relief Scheme, comprising personnel from the Office of Public Works and representatives from Limerick City and County Council, to oversee the project being undertaken by the engineering and environmental consultants. The role of the steering group is to identify and design a flood relief scheme that is technically, socially, environmentally and economically acceptable, to alleviate the risk of flooding to the community of Castleconnell to a determined standard of protection, and to procure, manage and oversee the construction of that scheme. This process is at Stage 1, scheme development and design.
