Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 December 2020
63. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a value for money review of flood defence works at Morrison’s Island has been undertaken; and if so, if the review has been published. [42257/20]
View answer64. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a value for money review been undertaken on Cork city flood defences versus a tidal barrier project with current construction costs and estimated flood risk for 2019-2020. [42258/20]
View answer65. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if value for money reviews were carried out of the use of demountable flood technology temporary and non-temporary for the Cork area; and if so, if the reviews have been published. [42259/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 64 and 65 together.
Every flood relief scheme designed, developed and/or funded by the OPW is subject to an economic appraisal. The assessment of alternative options for any proposed scheme examines a range of concept options for all schemes, and a robust multi-criteria analysis is used to inform the selection of the final preferred option.
The option chosen must represent value for money, as well as being technically feasible and environmentally sustainable. The use of demountable flood technology in the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, as with all elements of the scheme design, forms part of the final Cost Benefit Analysis of the scheme. These demountable elements have been the subject of cost estimates considered in the Cost Benefit Analysis, as indeed are the costs of the flood defences ultimately included in the Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project.
Arising from the public response to the scheme exhibition, significant additional elements to the scheme design have been introduced to address public concerns. The final cost estimate will be reviewed prior to confirmation of the scheme in line with the public spending code. The Cost Benefit Analysis from the earlier public consultation stage, is available to view on the project website, https://www.floodinfo.ie/frs/en/lower-lee/home/.
The Lower Lee FRS ‘Supplementary Report on Option of Tidal Barrier’ outlines cost estimates for a tidal barrier. This report, which identifies that a tidal barrage is not cost beneficial, was published in December 2017 and is also available to view on the project website.
