Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
329. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the catchment and flood risk management, CFRAM, flood risk management plan for Donegal town; the progress on the implementation of same that has been made to date; the funding that has been allocated to the scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22679/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA major flood relief scheme for Donegal Town, identified in the Flood Risk Management Plan for the North Western River Basin, is to be advanced over the period to 2027. The proposed project, at an estimated cost of €8.5m, consists of flood water storage and a series of flood embankments and walls, which will provide flood protection to approximately 73 properties when completed.
While the proposed project for Donegal town is not in the first phase of projects to be progressed, the OPW and DCC are working closely to ensure that it will be commenced as early as possible in the current programme of investment.
As you are aware, fifteen projects were identified in County Donegal under the Flood Risk Management Plans announced in May 2018. Following consultation and discussions between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Donegal County Council (DCC), six of the Donegal projects were selected and are being progressed in the first phase of implementation, in addition to a project already being progressed for Raphoe. Consultants have been appointed for the design of projects for Lifford, Burnfoot and Castlefin (the latter two bundled together) and the Council is in the process of procuring design consultants for Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Buncrana-Luddan and Ramelton (also in a bundled format).
OPW also approved an allocation of €0.369m to Donegal County Council for a project at Donegal town under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in December of last year. The Council is currently working on producing a suitable solution for flood alleviation at the affected location.
