Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
20. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline plans by the OPW to provide for flood relief works in County Cork in light of the recent catastrophic flooding there; and if he will provide an update on flood relief works continuing and planned for County Clare. [46932/23]
View answerOn Thursday last An Taoiseach and I visited some of the affected areas, to see at first hand the devastating impact of the aftermath of the flooding following Storm Babet.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk – was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. The delivery of these Plans is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan 2021–2030.
To date, 53 schemes have been completed which are providing protection to over 12,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €1.9 billion. Completed schemes include Bandon, Douglas, Clonakilty Fermoy and Ennis.
The Plans also identified an additional 150 flood relief schemes which in relation to those currently underway in County Cork are as follows. The schemes for Ballymakeera, Ballinhassig are at outline design Stage. Midleton, Bantry and Lower Lee are at Stage one which comprises Scheme Development and Preliminary Design and the scheme for Blackpool at Stage two, planning. Morrison’s Island is at detailed design stage and the Glashaboy scheme is at Stage four construction.
The OPW and Clare County Council are progressing five flood relief schemes in County Clare. These works include three large schemes namely Springfield which is at stage four construction, and the Shannon and Kilkee flood relief schemes, which are at Stage one preliminary design. Two smaller schemes in Kilrush and Bunratty are being progressed directly by Clare County Council.
The OPW operate the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme which provides funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies, costing up to €0.75 million each, to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Since 2009, OPW have approved funding of €5.5m to Cork County Council and €3.7m to Clare County Council under the Minor Works scheme.
