Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
383. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the engineer’s report his Department is to undertake in relation to an incident (details supplied) in County Cork in February 2021; if he will expedite same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1284/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works commenced construction of the Fermoy North flood defence scheme in 2009, and the scheme was completed in 2011. The Scheme comprises grass embankments, permanent walls and demountable flood barriers and pumping stations and is designed to protect 77 properties on the north side of Fermoy against the 1-in-100-year flood event. Damages avoided in such an event in are in the order of €18 m.
Cork Co. Council carries out the Operation and Maintenance of the Fermoy North scheme on behalf of the Office Public Works (OPW), the Contracting Authority. An OPW-developed Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), which is used for both the towns of Fermoy and Mallow, is operated by Cork County Council staff in Mallow. Upon receipt of a flood warning, Local Authority staff erect the substantial demountable defences on the completed scheme on the north side.
As part of the operation and maintenance arrangements, the Council engages a contractor who regularly services the pumping stations at Rathealy Road and the Western Embankment. The contractor made immediate interim adjustments at the pumping stations following the flood event of 23 February 2021 and then serviced the pumps to ensure the systems were functioning correctly. Council personnel monitor the pumping stations.
Cork County Council, with support from the OPW, have been investigating the possible cause or causes which led to the February 2021 flood event, including investigations regarding the functioning of the pumping stations at Rathealy Road and the Western Embankment.
As part of the investigations, Cork County Council engaged a specialist who has completed a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of both Fermoy North pumping stations. This analysis is to determine what occurred in February and to establish if all the original pumping systems are functioning correctly (as designed), and to provide appropriate recommendations to rectify any outstanding issues.
Further to the Deputy’s question on the status of a report to be prepared by The Office of Public Works following the flood event in February 2021, I am informed that Cork County Council are preparing this report which they have advised will be completed in the coming weeks. I can also confirm that the investigation and report into the February event is being carried out by Cork County Council only. In regards to insurance claims made to the Council, this is a matter for Cork County Council.
