Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
69. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when flood defence construction works will advance in the Upper Lee area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30969/23]
View answerTá Oifig na nOibreacha Phoiblí i gcomhpháirtíocht le Comhairle Contae Chorcaí ag plé go réamhghníomhach dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar an rogha is fearr inmhartha scéim tuilleadh fóirthine a roghnú a thabhairfidh cosaint suntasach do 90 mhaoin i Baile Muirne atá i mbaol tuille. Feighmeoidh Comharile Contae Chorcaí mar údaras ceannais don scéim agus tá siad ag plé le OPW raon an achoimre comhairleoireachta a sainmíniú le comhairleoir a chur ar fáil ina dhiaidh sin.
In the interim, Cork County Council has been approved funding of circa €187,250 in 2018 under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This funding is for the provision of temporary flood defence measures, including sand bag defence structure, increasing the ground level with ramps, and installation of 2 non-return valves.
Malachy Walsh and Partners (MWP) Consulting Engineers have been commissioned by Cork County Council to complete the design of the interim flood relief measures in Baile Mhuirne/Ballyvourney. This detailed design work is now well underway with the intention of going to tender for construction in Q3, 2023.
While the OPW has since 2018 trebled, to 90, the number of schemes at design and construction, it is proactively planning to commence the balance of some 60 Tranche II schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans. While the Government has given the financial commitment for these schemes there are a number of constraints, including the highly professional engineering skills needed in the area of hydrology and hydraulic modelling. The limited resources available for this specialised area means that the OPW must balance the schemes progressing with the resources available. However over the past number of years the local authorities have developed their project management capability in the area of flood relief schemes. The OPW is therefore exploring with local authorities ways to identify and prioritise how their shared capacity, and the experience gained by local authorities since 2018, can be utilised to progress new schemes.
The proposed flood relief scheme at Ballingeary is a Tranche II scheme which will be progressed at a projected cost estimate of circa €3.1 million which will be revised during the options development. This proposed scheme consists of Installation of flood walls and embankments and will provide protection to 46 properties when completed.
The proposed flood relief scheme at Inchigeelagh is also a Tranche II scheme which will be progressed at a projected cost estimate of circa €2.6m which will be revised during the scheme options development. The proposed measures consist of flood walls and embankments to protect vulnerable properties in Inchigeelagh. These defences range from 0.6m – 1.9m in height and will provide protection to 28 properties when completed.
Once consultants are appointed to progress these schemes, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies as well as the general public will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the schemes.
Each of the above mentioned flood relief schemes will be funded from within the allocated €1.3 billion for flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan to 2030, that forms part of the Government’s planned investment in Flood Relief measures nationally.
