Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to update the House on the flooding issues in Skibbereen since I last spoke in the House on the matter in October.

In the wake of the flooding of November 2009, I travelled around the Cork area to see at first hand and discuss the impact of the severe flooding. I visited a number of locations in the county in January, including Skibbereen. Having seen the damage and talked to many of the town's residents and business owners, I am acutely aware of the distress they suffered at that time and their concern that steps be taken quickly to prevent a recurrence. I would like to assure them again of my determination to provide every assistance in that regard.

The Office of Public Works is continuing to work in partnership with Cork County Council - as it is with most other local authorities - to assess, manage and find a solution to the flood problem experienced in the Skibbereen area. The objective is to develop effective long-term flood relief works which will provide the required level of protection while also addressing any environmental issues.

In the aftermath of the November 2009 flood event, Cork County Council took the lead in addressing the flooding problem in the town by commissioning an initial scoping report from consultants. The consultants reviewed and analysed the conclusions of previous works and reports on the problem and identified channel capacity and tidal factors as likely contributing factors. A key recommendation of their report was that further, more detailed, analysis be undertaken which would take account of recent changes in the area, including urban development and climate change.

As I explained previously, the council subsequently submitted a number of applications for funding in February of this year in respect of Skibbereen under the Office of Public Works minor flood mitigation works scheme, which provides funding for interim works to address minor localised flood problems where a solution has been identified or can be identified readily. To qualify for funding, proposals must be economically viable and environmentally sustainable and should cost not more than €500,000 in each case. Deputy O'Sullivan is correct that 90% of the funding is provided by the Office of Public Works while the local authority must put up 10%. That applies throughout the country. The applications submitted by the council for Skibbereen were in respect of, first, a study focused on the River Ilen; second, interim flood mitigation works; and third, a flood warning system.

Following an assessment of the applications submitted by the council, the Office of Public Works allocated funding of €120,000 in 2010 for a comprehensive flood risk and management study of the Ilen catchment for the purpose of determining the cause of the flooding problem in the town and to identify appropriate, cost effective solutions. In addition to providing funding, the Office of Public Works provided substantial assistance for the council in developing the brief for the study. The council has issued tender documents requesting submissions from consultants to carry out the study, and tenders are due at the end of this month.

The council expects to be in a position to appoint the consultant in January 2011. The study could take up to eight months to complete. The council also invited separate tenders to undertake surveys of the river channel and flood plains. The tenders received in this regard are currently being assessed and it is expected that the contract for this element will be awarded in the coming weeks. An aerial survey of the study area has also been completed by the Office of Public Works. The applications made by the council for interim mitigation works were assessed by the OPW, which found that the proposed works would be premature in the light of the forthcoming study and would not have a significant impact in reducing flood risk. It remains the view of the Office of Public Works that the proposed study will provide the basis for developing effective permanent flood relief measures for Skibbereen.

The issue is not political will or funding, as there is ample funding for minor relief works, but a technical assessment of what is the most effective way to proceed. The weather in November so far has underlined the dangers at this time of the year. In fact, I attended a budget Council meeting in Brussels on Monday and there had been severe flooding in Belgium over the weekend in which four people died. There was also a consequential suicide. I have also received reports this morning of severe flooding in Cornwall, which is much closer to Skibbereen. The dangers and concern are well understood but we are anxious to prepare a thorough and effective scheme for Skibbereen as well as for Bandon. People in other parts of the country that are prone to flooding understand that full protection will not be available until planned works are carried out and completed. Unfortunately, the more ambitious and thorough the scheme, the longer the delay.

As regards the issue of a flood warning system, Cork County Council earlier this year commissioned UCC to examine and report on the feasibility of a such a system for Skibbereen. Based on the findings in UCC's report, the council has recently submitted a revised application under the minor works scheme for funding to implement a system in the town in advance of any significant structural works. The UCC study identifies a number of system options which are currently being examined by OPW engineers, in consultation with the council as necessary. A decision will be made on the application as soon as this assessment is complete. At this stage it is not possible to give a definitive timescale for the implementation of any works or other measures recommended by the study. The timescale would be influenced by a number of factors, including the scale of the proposed measures and the associated statutory or other consent processes. Every effort will be made to progress their implementation as quickly as possible in line with normal procedure.

Pending the implementation of any major flood relief scheme the study may recommend, it is still open to the council to develop and seek funding from the Office of Public Works under the minor works scheme for alternative proposals for minor mitigation works which the council considers worthwhile. Any such applications that meet the criteria of the scheme will be given favourable consideration by the Office of Public Works. I remain confident that the approach adopted the council and Office of Public Works offers the best prospect of identifying effective, viable and sustainable solutions to the flooding in Skibbereen.

As the Deputy will be aware, I will be in Skibbereen on 20 November, at the invitation of the local flood committee to attend a forum on flooding which it has organised on that date. That forum has a wider scope than just Skibbereen. At the forum I will outline the role of the Office of Public Works in flood risk management as well as the various measures in train to address flooding issues throughout the country. I will avail of the opportunity to engage with the residents and listen to their concerns. As I said previously any suitable interim proposals put forward by the council will be given full consideration by the Office of Public Works.

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