Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
320. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to provide flood gates for the properties and businesses within the areas affected by flooding in the Bantry area of County Cork until the flood prevention measures are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8447/22]
View answerThe Flood Risk Management Plans launched in May 2018 included a recommendation to progress the design, planning and construction of a flood relief scheme for Bantry. A Steering Group, comprising of representatives from the Office of Public Works and Cork County Council, is in place and is progressing this Flood Relief Scheme to protect some 198 properties.
The Bantry Flood Relief Scheme is being funded from the overall €1.3 billion for flood risk management allocated by the Government under the National Development Plan to 2030.
During 2021 Cork County Council, in partnership with OPW, issued the tender documentation for the procurement of Engineering and Environmental Consultants to design a viable scheme for the town. An assessment of all tenders has now been completed by Cork County Council, and I am pleased to announce that on 3rd February last, the appointment took place of JB Barry and Partners Ltd. in joint venture with JBA Consulting Ltd. as engineering and environmental consultants to carry out the design of the Bantry Flood Relief Scheme.
Now that they are appointed, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of this important scheme.
In tandem with progressing this scheme, Cork County Council is preparing the consultants brief, that is expected to issue in the first quarter this year, to carry out the repair and re-construction of a culvert on Main Street. This culvert has been identified as a significant element contributing to flooding on Main Street, New Street and north and south of Wolfe Tone Square in recent months. The OPW and Cork County Council are liaising on the integration of these works with the flood relief scheme for the town.
In October 2021, my office approved €101,578 and further additional funding of €82,339 was approved in January 2022 bringing the total to €183,917 in funding to Cork County Council. This was approved under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for interim works to mitigate flooding in Bantry.
To date 2 pumps are on order following a tender process. The delivery timeline is approximately 3 months. Following a tender process a contract is now in place for the installation of non return valves. The valves are expected to be installed before the end of February 2022.
In addition to the above proposals, prior to forecasted extreme weather events, such as Storm Barra, local area staff from Cork County Council are implementing interim measures to assist in mitigating flooding, such as deployment of sandbags at Sands Quay and mobile pumping.
While the provision of individual property flood gates by Cork County Council has not been identified at this time, as an interim measure the OPW will continue to liaise with Cork County Council to explore further interim flood mitigation measures that may be appropriate until the flood relief scheme is complete.
