Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2019
175. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood alleviation schemes in Ballina and Foxford, County Mayo in view of budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42191/19]
View answerThe position in relation to the Ballina and Foxford flood relief schemes is as follows:
Ballina:
The project team for the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme is currently in the process of procuring Engineering and Environmental Consultants to progress the design and planning of the scheme.
It is envisaged that consultants will be appointed in late 2019/early 2020. When consultants have been appointed, a programme and more information on the scheme will become available.
Foxford:
In the Flood Risk Management Plan for the Foxford area two properties were predicted to flood in the 1 in 100-year design event.
A flood forecasting and warning system (FFWS) is the preferred option in Foxford, recommended by the Plan consultants. As such no structural flood defence scheme for Foxford has been recommended.
However, Foxford has been identified as requiring review in light of more recent flooding events in the town. This review will look again at any new information available since the original assessment of options under the CFRAM Programme was carried out. It is not possible at this stage to say what the outcome of the review is likely to be.
Budget 2020 will not have any impact on the planning and progression of the Ballina scheme or other planned flood relief schemes.
