Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
81. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the lower Lee flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15531/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is one of the largest flood relief scheme in the country and is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan to 2030. The study area consists of all areas potentially prone to flooding from the River Lee downstream of Inniscara reservoir to the discharge of the River Lee into Cork Harbour and adjacent to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The proposed scheme includes flood defences along the River Lee downstream of Inniscarra reservoir and through Cork city. The scheme will involve discharges from both the Carrigadrohid and Inniscarra reservoirs for the purposes of flood risk management. A flood forecasting system will be employed to assist with decision-making on when the required reservoir discharges are necessary and if the erection of temporary demountable defences downstream in Cork city are required.
The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme was initiated in 2013 following major flooding in 2009 and 2012 and is expected to provide protection against the 100-year fluvial flooding event from the River Lee and the 200-year tidal flooding event for circa 2,100 properties. A statutory public exhibition was held from December 2016 to January 2017 with over 1,000 public submissions received by the OPW. These submissions were reviewed, analysed and where appropriate, incorporated into the scheme’s design.
Since that public exhibition, significant legislative changes in the areas of environmental assessment, climate change and biodiversity were introduced. Most notably was the passing of the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations in 2019, giving effect to the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive 2011/92/EU, and as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU. These changes in legislative and policy frameworks have led to a significant body of additional analysis and design work being undertaken by OPW and its consultants. A second public consultation is now planned to take place in the first half of 2025. As before, once public consultation has concluded, a revised design will be developed to accommodate those public submissions considered appropriate. It is intended to submit the final design for planning by the end of 2025, with tendering for construction commencing when the scheme has received approval to proceed.
Flooding in Cork city is also being mitigated through the flood relief scheme at Morrison's Island. Cork City Council are the leading authority for the Morrison’s Island scheme, which combines both public realm and flood relief works. The scheme is intended to protect large areas of Central Island and over 400 properties from flooding during an extreme tidal event. The tender process for construction has successfully concluded, with construction of the Morrison’s Island scheme expected to begin in Q2 2024.
