Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
56. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on flood relief and flood defence schemes in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47026/23]
View answerIn total 12 flood relief schemes are being progressed across Donegal with €1.3bn funding available under the National Development Plan to 2023. Two of these schemes, Letterkenny and Donegal Town, are being progressed as part of a pilot for the next tranche of schemes to be delivered nationally. This pilot is being overseen by a Steering Group that includes representatives from Donegal County Council. This pilot will involve data collection by the Council ahead of and to inform the appointment of engineering and environmental consultants.
There are also a further four schemes in Donegal to be implemented in the next tranche of schemes, Killybegs, Carndonagh, Dunfanaghy and Rathmullen. The Government is committed to the implementation of all of the schemes included in the Plans within the lifetime of the National Development Plan.
Below is an update on all other schemes currently at implementation.
Raphoe Flood Relief Scheme
The proposed flood relief scheme for Raphoe has an estimated budget of €12,000,000 and when built will protect 387 properties. The scheme has completed Stage I and Stage II. The Raphoe flood relief scheme was 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.
Lifford Flood Relief Scheme
The Lifford flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €17,500,000 and when built will protect 67 properties and was included in the first tranche of schemes to be delivered under the National Development Plan. It is currently at Stage I (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) which is due for completion in Q2 2024. The scheme is programmed to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in Q4 2025 (Stage II). It is currently envisaged that Stage III Detailed Design will begin in Q2 2025 in advance of planning consent submission and that Stage IV Construction will begin in Q1 2027.
Castlefinn Flood Relief Scheme
The Castlefinn flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €8,167,400 and when built will protect 33 properties. It was included in the first tranche of schemes and is currently at Stage I (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) which is due for completion in Q4 2023. The scheme is due to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in Q1 2024 (Stage II). Subject to a successful and timely planning process it is currently envisaged that Stage III Detailed Design will start in Q3 2024 and Stage IV Construction will begin in Q2 2025.
Na Dúnaibh (Downings) Flood Relief Scheme
The Na Dúnaibh (Downings) flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €6,540,000 and when built will protect 58 properties. It was included in the first tranche of schemes and is currently at Stage I (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) which is due for completion in Q2 2024. The scheme is due to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in Q2 2024 (Stage II). Subject to a successful and timely planning process it is currently envisaged that Stage III Detailed Design will start in Q3 2024 and Stage IV Construction will begin in Q3 2025.
Glenties Flood Relief Scheme
The Glenties Flood Relief scheme has an estimated budget of €550,000 and when built will protect 8 properties. It is currently at Stage I (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) which is due for completion in Q1 2025. The scheme is due to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in Q2 2025 (Stage II). Subject to a successful and timely planning process it is currently envisaged that Stage III Detailed Design will start in Q3 2025 and Stage IV Construction will begin in Q3 2026.
Burnfoot Flood Relief Scheme
The Burnfoot Flood Relief scheme has an estimated budget of €13,650,000 and when built will protect 49 properties. It is currently at Stage I (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) which is due for completion in Q4 2023. The scheme is due to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in Q1 2024 (Stage II). Subject to a successful and timely planning process it is currently envisaged that Stage III Detailed Design will start in Q3 2024 and Stage IV Construction will begin in Q3 2025.
Ballybofey-Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme
The Ballybofey-Stranorlar flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €4,400,000 and when built will protect 59 properties. It was included in the first tranche of schemes and is currently at Stage I (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) which is due for completion in Q2 2024. The scheme is due to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in Q3 2024 (Stage II). Subject to a successful and timely planning process it is currently envisaged that Stage III Detailed Design will start in Q2 2025 and Stage IV Construction will begin in Q2 2026.
Buncrana Flood Relief Scheme
The Buncrana flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €6,800,000 and when built will protect 32 properties. It was included in the first tranche of schemes and is currently at Stage I (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) which is due for completion in Q3 2024. The scheme is due to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in Q1 2025 (Stage II). Subject to a successful and timely planning process it is currently envisaged that Stage III Detailed Design will start in Q3 2025 and Stage IV Construction will begin in Q2 2026.
Kerrykeel Flood Relief Scheme
The Kerrykeel flood relief scheme had an estimated budget of €30,000 in the Flood Risk Management Plan launched in 2018 and when built will protect 13 properties. It was included in the first tranche of schemes and is currently at Stage I which is due for completion in Q2 2024. OPW are currently progressing the options development, as well as numerous surveys and reports for the completion of Stage I. Subject to a successful and timely planning process, currently it is envisaged that construction of the scheme will begin in 2025.
Ramelton Flood Relief Scheme
The Ramelton flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €12,100,000 and when built will protect 37 properties. It was included in the first tranche of schemes and is currently at Stage I (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) which is due for completion in Q2 2024. The scheme is due to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in Q3 2024 (Stage II). Subject to a successful and timely planning process it is currently envisaged that Stage III Detailed Design will start in Q3 2025 and Stage IV Construction will begin in Q1 2026.
