Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 July 2018
197. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works which have been completed on the Kilkenny river flood relief scheme encompassing towns (details supplied); the flood alleviation works outstanding in the area; when these works will be completed in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31335/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk. The CFRAM programme culminated with the launch on 3 May 2018 of 29 flood risk management plans, which proposed 118 new outline flood relief projects on top of the 42 major projects already completed and the 33 major schemes within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public Works (OPW). As it is not possible to progress all 118 proposed new schemes at once, funding of €257 million for an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country was also announced which would be progressed to detailed design and construction, including the five largest schemes identified in the Plans and 31 small projects under €1 million which will be progressed directly by local authorities.
Aside from the 5 largest schemes and the 31 small projects, the remaining projects in the initial phase of implementation were selected on the basis of those projects which would provide the greatest benefit in terms of the greatest number of properties protected on a regionally balanced basis. Among such medium-sized projects are the proposed flood relief schemes at Freshford, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Piltown and Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny. The proposed schemes are not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed but the OPW and Kilkenny County Council will work closely to ensure that they will be commenced in the coming years and within the ten-year timeframe for the programme of investment.
The proposed flood relief scheme at Freshford, Co. Kilkenny has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €3.8 million. This proposed scheme involves a combination of flow diversion and improved channel conveyance and will protect 93 properties when completed.
The proposed scheme at Graiguenamanagh has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €9.1 million. The proposed project consists of building hard defences, protecting 64 at risk properties by a series of embankments and walls, set back where possible from the river channel.
The proposed scheme at Thomastown has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €12.7 million. The proposed project would protect 135 properties with embankments and walls, set back where possible from the river channel.
The proposed scheme at Piltown has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €1.6 million. The proposed project would protect 14 at-risk properties by a combination of flood defences (walls, embankments, road raising) and improved channel conveyance by means of bridge and culvert replacement.
The proposed project at Inistioge has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €1.5 million. The proposed project consists of building defences, whereby 34 at risk properties would be protected by a series of flood embankments and walls, set back where possible from the river channel allowing the floodplain function to remain active.
The proposed flood relief scheme at Ballyhale, with an estimated cost of €430,000 is included in the 31 small projects under €1 million, and is expected to be progressed directly by Kilkenny County Council with full funding from the OPW. The work will involve the construction of an embankment and flow diversion from the Ballyhale watercourse to the Little Arrigle River and will protect 25 properties when completed.
OPW has set up frameworks of consultants, which the local authorities can also use to progress the design of each project and which will help to speed up the process to construction. Once consultants are appointed to progress schemes, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies as well as the public takes place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of these schemes.
Potentially viable structural flood relief measures have been investigated for Kilkenny (Breagagh River). A technically viable flood relief scheme has been identified. However, a more detailed assessment of the costs and benefits will be completed to determine if the proposed Scheme is feasible.
It is important to note that the measures set out in the flood risk management plans are not definitive and final, and that as part of the project-level assessment that is required to prepare the measure for planning / Public Exhibition, more detailed assessments are required at a local level and further public and stakeholder consultation will be undertaken. As such, there is further scope for the community's views to influence the measures that are progressed to implementation.
