Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2018
134. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of dedicated schemes announced in May 2018 under the CFRAM flood mapping study to provide flood mitigation and defence projects at Downing, Lifford, Glenties and Kerrykeel in County Donegal. [44055/18]
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 3rd 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). In that regard 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 or minor projects under €1 million which will be progressed directly by local authorities.
The proposed flood relief scheme at Lifford, Co. Donegal with an estimated cost of €6 million is being advanced by the OPW. Proposed flood relief schemes at Downing, with an estimated cost of €870,000, Glenties with an estimated cost of €550,000 and Carrowkeel (Kerrykeel), with an estimated cost of €30,000 are included in the 31 small or minor projects under €1 million, and are expected to be progressed directly by Donegal County Council with full funding from the OPW. Other schemes to be advanced in Donegal include Burnfoot and Castlefinn with estimated costs of €1.5 million and €1.75 million respectively.
The 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 each scheme, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies as well as the general public will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the scheme.
The OPW is currently in discussions with Donegal County Council to establish arrangements and structures on the progression of all these flood relief schemes throughout Co. Donegal.
