Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
164. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of works on the weir at Ballincollig Regional Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18482/24]
View answerBallincollig Weir, which is part of Ballincollig Regional Park, is in the ownership of Cork City Council since the boundary change between Cork County and City in June 2019. The Weir had apparently been in disrepair for many years before a breach occurred in December 2014, which has left the weir in extremely poor condition.
While there are no hydraulic benefits to the flood relief scheme from the weir, the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme Steering Group in 2021, committed to the incorporation of remedial works to the weir as part of the construction contract and budget for the Scheme, if appropriate.
The nature of any such remedial works will be subject to an assessment of planning, structural, fisheries and cultural heritage considerations, which the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme Steering Group has asked the Scheme’s design consultants, contracted by the OPW, to review. The consultants’ proposal to undertake a preliminary feasibility assessment and constraints study for the reinstatement of Ballincollig Weir has been approved and is ongoing. Site surveys and inspections have now been completed, and the OPW expects to receive a draft report for review from our consultants within the coming weeks.
