Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
388. 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. [1336/25]
View answerThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management or CFRAM Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the state, was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. The main output from this study was the Flood Risk Management Plans that are providing the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.
The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is the largest flood relief scheme in the state. It encompasses an area from Inniscarra Hydroelectric plant to the Port of Cork, some 16 kilometres away. The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is expected to provide protection against the 100-year fluvial flooding event from the River Lee and the 200-year tidal flooding event for 2,100 properties, including 900 residential and 1,200 commercial, at an estimated cost of over €200 million.
Ballincollig Weir is on the River Lee and is adjacent to the Regional Park in Ballincollig. The weir has been in disrepair for many years before a breach occurred in December 2014, which left the weir in poor condition. While there are no hydraulic benefits to the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme from the Ballincollig weir, the OPW has committed to assessing the feasibility of repairing Ballincollig Weir and incorporating the repair works into the construction contract and budget for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, if appropriate.
The OPW commissioned the consultants for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme to undertake a preliminary feasibility assessment and constraints study for any viable reinstatement of the Ballincollig Weir and a draft report was produced in May 2024. This report is under consideration by Cork City Council that have ownership of Ballincollig Weir. The Council has ongoing engagement with the OPW to inform a decision on how to proceed.
