Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
37. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the development of a flood relief scheme on the border of counties Carlow and Kilkenny. [16804/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is currently in place a joint Kilkenny County Council and OPW steering group for delivery of all flood relief schemes in County Kilkenny.
Consultants were appointed in March, 2020 to identify a flood relief scheme that is technically, socially, environmentally and economically acceptable, to alleviate the risk of flooding to the Community of Graiguenamanagh/Tinnahinch. The Graiguenamanagh/Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme is currently at Stage 1 “Scheme Development and Preliminary Design”.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions a virtual Public Consultation Day was hosted by Kilkenny County Council on the 18th June, 2020 with a closing date for submissions by 9th July, 2020.
A Project Website has been developed and will be updated as the project progresses.
The proposed measures for Graiguenamanagh/Tinnahinch consist of building hard defences with ‘at–risk’ properties being protected by a series of embankments and walls, sheet piled where necessary and set back where possible from the river channel. Detailed project level design, Planning, Environmental Impact Assessment and project-level Habitats Directive (‘Appropriate’) Assessment must be undertaken in accordance with the relevant legislation as part of the progression of these proposed measures.
