Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
75. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the up-to-date position on flood relief plans (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17784/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal flooding issues are matters for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
At present, there is no application with the OPW for this location. My office contacted Cork County Council who have advised that the area around Ardcahan Bridge has a history of flooding, whereby the R587 frequently becomes impassable to road traffic. This can happen several times a year and presents both a hazard and inconvenience requiring a temporary emergency road closure and diversions to be put in place.
The OPW understands that the eyes of Ardcahan Bridge have become silted, and that the hydraulic conveyance capacity of the bridge is compromised. This reduction in conveyance capacity has resulted in an increase in the frequency and severity of flooding upstream of the bridge. Cork County Council have completed an investigation on the structure of the bridge to determine corrosion effects, extensive hydrological modelling, environmental surveys and a detailed design on repair works to the bridge. As this is a Special Area of Conservation, finalising the design for removing silt is challenging. Cork County Council is currently advancing maintenance works for the bridge deck only. Given environmental constraints relating to the presence of Fresh Water Pearl Mussels at the location of the bridge, there are no plans at present to include the removal of silt from the eyes of the bridge as part of these maintenance works.
As this flooding issue is affecting roads and not properties, the funding and responsibility for this flooding issue is a matter for the Minister for Transport. I will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Transport.
