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Flood Relief Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020

Thursday, 12 November 2020

Questions (172, 173, 174)

Thomas Gould

Question:

172. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has signed off on the Glashaboy flood relief scheme. [35831/20]

View answer

Thomas Gould

Question:

173. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeline for the Glashaboy flood relief scheme. [35832/20]

View answer

Thomas Gould

Question:

174. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when work will commence on the Glashaboy flood relief scheme. [35833/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 to 174, inclusive, together.

I am advised that the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme has been submitted by the Office of Public Works, under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts, accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS), to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for formal Confirmation.

On foot of the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019, which were published in Iris Oifigiúl on 27 September 2019, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has undertaken an environmental assessment of the proposed scheme in line with required legislative requirements. This involved an independent assessment of the EIAR / NIS and a public consultation process.

On the 5 May 2020, the Office of Public Works received correspondence from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the independent assessment is now complete. This correspondence requested, pursuant to section 7(B) sub-section 4 of the 2019 European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations, certain items of further information that are required to complete the process. My Office, working together with Cork City Council and environmental consultants appointed for this project, provided the information to the Department by the deadline on 30th October 2020. If, following review of this supplementary information, as statutorily required, the scheme is deemed to be compliant with all relevant environmental directives and regulations, the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform will then be in a position to formally consent to the scheme at Glashaboy.

The procurement and appointment of a Contractor will be progressed for this scheme following formal Ministerial Confirmation. The flood relief scheme will be funded from within the allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period National Development Plan 2018-2027. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi annual capital allocation.

The Office of Public Works is committed to funding this project and attends monthly steering meetings to offer every assistance to Cork City Council to ensure a contractor is engaged, and the works commences, as soon as possible.

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