Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
50. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the judicial review window has closed on the Glanmire flood relief scheme; if observations or challenges were received; when it will be progressed for tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19931/21]
View answerI would like to inquire this evening about the status of the Glanmire flood relief scheme. I understood the period when it was open to judicial review was to be concluded this week. Can the Minister of State give an update on whether any observations or challenges were received? When will it be progressed to tender? Will the Minister of State make a statement on the matter?
I am pleased to provide an update to the House on the progression of the River Glashaboy flood relief scheme at Glanmire and Sallybrook, Cork. This scheme was confirmed on 18 January 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform pursuant to section 7 of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 and all other powers enabling him in that regard. The confirmation is subject to the conditions that were agreed to by the Commissioners for Public Works in Ireland, which is the approving authority for the scheme.
The 12-week period for judicial review expired on 12 April 2021 without receipt of any objections. The procurement to appoint the civil works contractor for this scheme is being progressed. I am advised by Cork City Council, as the contracting authority for this flood relief scheme, that it expects to invite tenders for this civil work contract during the third quarter of this year.
The scheme will provide protection to some 103 properties, including 78 residential properties and 25 commercial premises. It will address the flood risk in a number of locations in the Glanmire area and will include defences such as walls and embankments, culvert upgrades, channel widening and road regrading.
The flood relief scheme is being funded through the Government's €1 billion investment in flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040. Provision for the cost of the scheme is included in the OPW's multi-annual capital allocation.
A project steering committee with representatives from Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the OPW is in place, meeting monthly with the engineering consultants to oversee the delivery of this project. I know that moving to appoint a civil works contractor and to construction is welcomed by the residents who have been affected by flooding in Glanmire. I am ensuring that my officials and officials in Cork City Council are working closely with other State bodies, including Irish Water, to ensure that all of the flood risk in the area is being addressed.
I reassure residents and business owners in the Glanmire area that, as with the other flood relief schemes completed in other towns, this scheme will provide the standard of protection against significant flood events, which the Deputy and other public representatives in the area have been contacting me about.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I am obviously glad to hear the possibility of a judicial review is now off the table. We need no reminding of the disastrous impacts that the absence of a scheme in this area has had on businesses and residents. In that respect, I welcome the Minister of State’s statement. However, it is difficult to accept that tendering needs to wait until the third quarter, that is, July, August or September. I implore the Minister of State to do everything in his power to ensure this happens early rather than late in the third quarter. It goes without saying that the sooner work starts on the scheme, machines are on the ground and walls and embankments are built, the sooner we can give people the peace of mind they have not had for many years.
I have one or two questions on the process that will unfold in the weeks ahead. Will the Minister of State clarify if the remaining work requires the appointment of a new contractor or consultant to bring the project to tender stage? If so, will this add a cost to the scheme and how much will this be? Will he provide, either today or by way of written response, details on the total cost of consultants on this project so far?
Before moving on, I remind Members if they are watching proceedings that we are moving through the questions pretty smartly, and they may miss their turn if close attention is not paid.
I do not have details on what has been paid out to date but I can obtain the follow-up information the Deputy has requested. On the Deputy's fear of further delays, I assure him that if it was up to us, we would be in Glanmire building this project. However, we have to go through statutory processes, including engagement with other State agencies. We also have to have regard to landowners. I pay tribute to the landowners, residents and neighbours with whom we have to engage to ensure that we do this appropriately, are mindful not to disrupt them and are good neighbours during the process of construction. We have jumped some of the biggest hurdles. The Deputy is correct about the process of judicial review, which is topical at the moment and on which I have my own views.
The total estimated cost of the project is €13.9 million and approximately €2.6 million has been spent to date. This is a significant investment in the Glanmire area. I can get a detailed breakdown for the Deputy later if he wishes.
I welcome the Minister of State's response. He visited Cork city during some of the flooding events last year. To be fair to him, while we were visiting the various businesses affected that day, he acknowledged that we needed to get on with the majority of these flood schemes. Cork is built on low-lying ground and there are obvious problems in the city. I reiterate the Minister of State's point that we need to get on with these schemes. While we have only a short distance to go to get this scheme over the line, if it is possible to shave off a few weeks here and there in anticipation of the third quarter, I ask him to do everything in his power to ensure that happens.
I will do that and bear the Deputy's point in mind. He and the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, know better than I do that the Irish name for Cork is Corcaigh, meaning marsh. It is no accident, therefore, that there are many issues confronting the OPW in the city. My priority is to focus on the victims of flooding. It is unfortunate that I am getting bogged down in a large number of processes which are adding not months or weeks, which Deputy O’Sullivan is worried about, but years. I am conscious that many of Deputy O’Sullivan’s constituents in Cork North-Central and many of the Minister's constituents in Cork South-Central face mind-numbing delays. Letters and emails are constantly pouring into the OPW, Cork City Council and Cork County Council asking why flooding continues and why people face the fear of flooding. On my watch, the approach of the OPW, including in the constituency of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, will focus on the victims of flooding.
Táim ag bogadh ar aghaidh. Some of the Deputies who tabled the subsequent questions are not in the Chamber so I will skip their questions. Unless I have missed someone, Deputy Ó Murchú's question is next.
I am substituting for Deputy Carthy, whose question is before Deputy Ó Murchú's question. I received confirmation in that regard. I was not expecting to be on my feet again so quickly.
I will go back to the correct sequence as I see Deputy Calleary is here now.
That is perfect.
Deputy Farrell will have an opportunity a little later.
