Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
505. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the CFRAMS for Raphoe, County Donegal is on schedule for implementation; the current timeframe for the delivery of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37253/23]
View answer506. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the CFRAMS for Castlefinn, County Donegal is on schedule for implementation; the current timeframe for the delivery of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37254/23]
View answer507. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the CFRAMS Killybegs, County Donegal is on schedule; when can it be expected that a timeframe for the implementation will be ready; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37255/23]
View answer508. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the CFRAMS for Ballybofey, County Donegal is on schedule for implementation; the current timeframe for the completed delivery of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37256/23]
View answer509. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the CFRAMS for Donegal Town, County Donegal is on schedule for implementation; the current timeframe for the completed delivery of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37257/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 505 to 509, inclusive, together.
Fifteen flood relief projects were identified in County Donegal under the Flood Risk Management Plans announced in May 2018. Following consultation and discussions between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Donegal County Council (DCC), nine of the Donegal projects were selected and are actively being progressed in the first phase of implementation, in addition to a scheme for Raphoe that was under design at that time.
Delivery of flood relief schemes is a complicated process which has five distinct stages which are as follows;
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
Stage II: Planning Process, Public Exhibition / Confirmation
Stage III: Detailed Design
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction
Stage V: Handover of Works
Raphoe Flood Relief Scheme
The proposed flood relief scheme for Raphoe has completed Stage I and Stage II has progressed significantly. The Raphoe flood relief scheme has been recently submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform for confirmation in Q2 2023 under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. Detailed design, construction drawings and specifications will be developed in Q1 2024 and it is envisaged that construction of the scheme will begin in 2025, subject to Ministerial confirmation.
Castlefinn Flood Relief Scheme
The Castlefinn flood relief scheme was included in the first tranche of schemes and is currently at Stage I which is due for completion in Q4 2023. Subject to a successful and timely planning process, it is currently envisaged that construction of the scheme will begin in 2025.
Ballybofey-Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme
The Ballybofey-Stranorlar flood relief scheme was included in the first tranche of schemes and is currently at Stage I which is due for completion in Q2 2024. The engineering consultant are progressing the Hydraulic modelling at the moment, as well as numerous surveys and reports for the completion of Stage I. Subject to successful and timely planning process, currently it is envisaged that construction of the scheme will begin in 2026.
Donegal Town & Killybegs Flood Relief Schemes
While the proposed projects for Killybegs and Donegal Town are not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, they are in the Tranche II list of schemes.
The OPW in May 2023 approved funding for Donegal County Council to recruit three additional staff members, to support the delivery of the flood relief schemes for the county.
The scheme for Donegal Town has been approved to commence as part of a national pilot to inform the delivery model for future flood relief schemes. This pilot is being overseen by a Steering Group that includes representatives from Donegal County Council. The pilot includes data collection by the Council ahead of and to inform the appointment of engineering and environmental consultants. The outcome of this pilot will help to inform the best delivery model for the flood relief scheme at Killybegs and Donegal Town.
Every effort is being made by DCC, OPW and the relevant consultants where appointed to have all of these schemes in place as soon as is possible to protect homes, businesses and people in these communities.
