Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
47. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if consideration will be giving to reprioritising the Glashaboy flood relief scheme following severe and unprecedented flooding in Cork; the interaction his Department has had with the local authority and the contractor in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52126/23]
View answer213. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to arrange for Cork City Council to put in place temporary flood defence barriers in an estate (details supplied) in view of the fact that over 25 houses recently suffered severe flooding and this is the second occasion on which it occurred; if the necessary funding will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51912/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 213 together.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork City Council are engaging proactively to progress the Glashaboy flood relief scheme for Glanmire.
The Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme was confirmed in January 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995. The scheme is being funded from the €1.3 billion in flood relief measures under the National Development Plan to 2030, and as part of Project Ireland 2040.
The scheme, when complete, will provide flood protection to some 103 properties; 78 residential properties and 25 commercial premises and will address the flood risk in a number of locations in the Glanmire area. The scheme will include defences, such as walls and embankments; culvert upgrades; channel widening and road re-grading.
In April 2023, Cork City Council, following a successful tender competition, awarded the civil works contract to Sorensen Civil Engineering. In July 2023 Sorensen Civil Engineering mobilised on site carrying out site investigation works, working with utility providers to agree diversions and engaging with stakeholders with works commencing on site at Cúil Chluthair and Springmount.
The construction programme is anticipated to take 32 months with the works split up into several Zones to minimise disruption to the public and businesses. A Steering Group with representatives from Cork City and County Councils, the consultant engineers and the OPW meet monthly to review progress and performance with the delivery of this scheme. The schedule for the next 3 months of work is available on a dedicated webpage on the project website which has been set up to provide updates to the public throughout the works.
Following the significant flooding that occurred during Storm Babet, I visited the area and met with the local authority to discuss the impact from the storm event and progressing the construction of the scheme. The project team are currently considering all interventions or mitigations that may be beneficial to mitigate flooding until the scheme is complete.
Members of the project team met with the Copper Valley Vue Residents’ Association last week to discuss proposals for temporary works prior to construction of the permanent flood relief scheme works. The project team is currently preparing a design for these works.
