Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
246. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW has examined and costed the repair of the drainage system at Railway Road, Raphoe, County Donegal, which was damaged and left in a dangerous situation in July 2023; when it will be repaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6176/24]
View answerDonegal County Council are actively working in partnership with the OPW in identifying a funding source and design solution for the failure of the storm water culvert at Railway Road in Raphoe. The OPW have successfully tendered and appointed a CCTV contractor to examine all sections of the culvert, including the failure at Railway Road, to ascertain the full extent of the damage caused by the latest flood event.
The CCTV survey will incorporate specialist drone camera technology and it is expected the survey will be completed by the end of February. Following a review of the data it is proposed that the appointed Engineering Consultant for the Raphoe Flood Relief Scheme will be tasked with designing and costing a solution for the culvert failure at Railway Road along with any other recommended remediation measures to the culvert. An application will then be made by Donegal County Council under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for the repairs in advance of the full Raphoe Flood Relief Scheme. The application will be considered for funding by the OPW under the criteria for the Minor Works Scheme.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies up to €750,000 to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.
Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, technical social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio. The commencement and progression of any works for which funding is approved is a matter for each Local Authority concerned.
