Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2022
103. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when flood defence construction works will advance for an Sulán River, Ballymakeera, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork County Council are engaging proactively to progress a preferred option for a viable flood relief scheme for Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney that will protect 90 properties from significant risk of flooding.
To date the assessments and data that has been produced by the OPW has brought the project to the latter stages of Stage One, Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. There are some elements that are required to close out Stage One for agreement with all relevant stakeholders of a final preferred option. The OPW is engaging with Cork County Council to identify the steps to identify a viable option and to meets the terms of the Water Framework Directive.
Construction of the scheme will be informed by planning permissions that are sought for a preferred option. The Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney Flood Relief Scheme is being funded from €1.3 billion allocated by the Government for flood risk management under the National Development Plan to 2030.
In the interim, Cork County Council has been approved for funding of €187,248 in October 2018 under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This funding is for the provision of temporary flood defence measures, including sand bag defence structure, increasing of ground levels with ramps and the installation of 2 non-return valves.
Malachy Walsh and Partners (MWP) Consulting Engineers have been commissioned by Cork County Council to complete the design of the temporary flood relief measures in Ballyvourney. This work is now well under way and a design is expected to be ready before the end of this year and the intention is to go to tender for construction shortly thereafter.
