Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 February 2025
85. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the Ballinhassig flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5033/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management or CFRAM Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk – was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018, with Ballinhassig identified as part of the first phase of a national programme of some 100 flood relief schemes.
Cork County Council is progressing a flood relief scheme to protect eight residential properties in Ballinhassig, which experience flooding from the Owenabue River. The Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme is being funded by the Office of Public Works from the €1.3 billion for flood risk measures under the Government's National Development Plan to 2030. The OPW is also funding nine staff in Cork County Council who are progressing the delivery of all flood relief schemes, including Ballinahassig, across the authority's administrative area.
A tender competition for Engineering and Environmental services to progress the Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme was first issued by Cork County Council in late 2022. No tender submission received at that time was accepted. Following discussions between the OPW and Cork County Council, the consultancy contract was revised and retendered in late 2023. A consultant engineer was subsequently commissioned, and work to design a scheme option for Ballinahassig commenced in January 2024.
The Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme is currently at Stage 1: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. Cork County Council has advised that the environmental surveying, topographical and channel modelling, and site investigation works have been completed; and hydrology and hydraulic modelling is being finalised. At the end of Q2 2025 it is expected that the preferred option and planning route for Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme will have been identified
Cork County Council has programmed that a Planning Application for this scheme will be submitted at the end of 2025.
