Holly Cairns
Question:99. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood relief scheme in Bantry, County Cork. [46990/22]
View answerTuesday, 4 October 2022
Questions (99)
Written answers
The 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 to progress this Flood Relief Scheme protecting some 198 properties.
In February 2022 I visited Bantry to announce the appointment of J.B. Barry and Partners Ltd., in joint venture with JBA Consulting Ltd., by Cork County Council as engineering and environmental consultants to carry out the design of a viable scheme for the town. The scheme development and design is progressing with environmental surveys and hydrological modelling continuing in the area. Tenders for site investigations have been received and once contractors are appointed these investigations will commence.
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 the scheme. A project website is available at ‘www.bantryfrs.ie’. A number of Public Participation Days will be held throughout the delivery stages of the project, the first of which was held on 18th May 2022, with the second due to take place in Q2 2023.
In tandem with progressing this scheme, Cork County Council are to progress the repair and re-construction of a culvert on Main Street, Bantry with a Section 50 application currently with the OPW for approval. 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.
Under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme my office approved a total of €183,917 in funding to Cork County Council for interim works to mitigate flooding in Bantry. The installation of non return valves on gullies and the storm pipe non return valves have been completed. There has also been sandbags purchased for deployment in case of forecasted extreme weather events.
Separately, Cork County Council are working on developing an Individual Property Protection Scheme for Bantry. Expressions of interest for the scheme were requested, with positive responses received. The next steps will be to complete surveys and for agreements to be signed with interested property owners prior to making an application for further funding under the OPW Minor Works scheme.