Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
227. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he plans to address the issue with flooding in Castlefinn, County Donegal, along the N15; if the solution to the problem presented to his Department by this Deputy at the Oireachtas finance committee recently will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7405/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you are aware, fourteen 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). Currently eight of the Donegal projects are being progressed in the first phase of implementation, in addition to a project already being progressed for Raphoe. A further two schemes have been identified as part of a national pilot to inform the delivery model for future flood relief schemes.
Castlefinn is being delivered as part of a bundle of projects that includes Burnfoot, Downings and Glenties. Currently Castlefin is at Stage 1 Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. The project is programmed to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála for consent in Q3 this year.
As part of the scheme it is proposed to replace the culvert that crosses the N15, however these works will more than likely require an EIAR and as such a submission to An Bord Pleanála for consent.
Donegal County Council (DCC) have confirmed that in the aftermath of storm Jocelyn significant debris was cleared from the culvert which conveys the Bridge Burn under the N15 near McGlynn’s Café. The clearance was undertaken by the local Area Team of the Roads and Transportation Directorate on 29/01/2024. It is believed that the removal will help improve conveyance, lessening the risk of flooding during low magnitude fluvial and pluvial events local to this watercourse.
The Area Team have also undertaken to put a trash screen in place at the upstream end as a temporary measure to reduce the risk of future debris build up within the culvert until such time as the flood relief scheme can deliver the long term culvert replacement. Once in place, there will be ongoing monitoring of debris build-up on the trash screen with clearance undertaken as necessary.
