Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Murphy O'Mahony for raising this important issue. I am replying on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran.

As the Deputy rightly pointed out, I have personal knowledge of this issue. My brother is a publican on the main street in Bandon and his business premises was one of those flooded. The Deputy is correct in so far as his premises flooded not from the street but, rather, the toilet cisterns. The flooding came from the sewer, up the toilet and into his pub. Such an occurrence would be absolutely devastating for any business. I also have first-hand experience of such events in my town of Newcastle West, which was also flooded. I thank Deputy Murphy O'Mahony for raising the issue.

The Minister of State, Deputy Boxer Moran, visited Bandon last summer to see the great work being done to bring much-needed relief from flooding to the people and businesses of the town. He met with councillors, local Deputies, residents and business owners, who were all very relieved that, following some early delays, works were finally under way. The Bandon scheme is progressing well. Like any major civil engineering project, it is not without its difficulties but, on behalf of the Minister of State, I assure the Deputy that he has been emphasising to his officials that every effort must be made to ensure the scheme remains on target for completion in mid-2019 in accordance with the latest agreed construction programme.

Following the severe flooding in Bandon in November 2009, the Office of Public Works appointed consultants to develop proposals for a flood relief scheme for the town and to undertake an environmental impact study of the developing proposals. A preferred scheme was brought through the public exhibition process in 2012 and the proposals received a generally positive welcome. The Office of Public Works has been working in close co-operation with Cork County Council in developing and progressing the scheme. The scheme includes the following main elements: new walls and embankments; excavating the channel by approximately 1.6 m for a distance of 3.5 km; replacement of the pedestrian bridge; underpinning Bandon Bridge; construction of new fish passages; and associated drainage works, including new pump stations.

Following completion of the detailed design, the Bandon scheme was confirmed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, on 4 April 2016, which allowed the Office of Public Works to proceed with the scheme. The contract was awarded on 9 of June 2016 to Wills Bros Limited and construction of the scheme commenced in late July 2016. There were some initial contract issues to be resolved which led to a delay in substantive works getting under way. Thankfully, those issues were resolved.

Good progress is being made across all the main areas of work. Bandon footbridge works are progressing well and are due for completion by the end of February. The steel deck was lifted into place on 6 December last. Works associated with the ramps and walls, including large service diversions, are ongoing. Finishing works, including polished concrete surfacing and railings, are anticipated to commence this month and the bridge is due to be opened in March. Works are ongoing at Glasslinn Road and are due to recommence at Brady’s Lane and Bridge Street this month. Culvert installation works have been completed at Mill River within the grounds of the old distillery, almost completed at the Kilbrittain Road stream and are ongoing at Moanarone or Distillery Road. The construction of new flood defence walls is ongoing at Graham Norton Walk, The Stretch, Watergate Steet, Glasslinn Road wall and Mill Place. Some major elements of in-river works are scheduled to commence in May on the Bandon river and on a fish pass in the river. These are critical works and the project management team will be working very closely with the contractor to ensure they are completed within the programme. The scheme is expected to be substantially completed by July 2019 and the Minister of State is confident that target will be met.

As Deputy Murphy O'Mahony pointed out, the completion of the Bandon scheme will bring great comfort to the residents and businesspeople of the town. Like the residents of other towns such as Mallow, Fermoy, Kilkenny and Clonmel where major OPW schemes have been built, they will no longer have to live in fear of severe weather and rainfall warnings but, rather, will know their homes and businesses are protected from flooding.

The Government is committed to addressing the most significant flood risks in the country. Some €350 million has been spent on building 42 major schemes, protecting almost 9,500 properties. However, there is more to be done. Within the existing programme of capital flood works, eight schemes are at construction phase, eight more are due to start construction this year and a further 18 are in the pipeline. In addition, approximately 100 other schemes are included in the flood risk management plans under the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme for which the Minister of State will shortly be seeking approval. This represents a major programme of investment in flood protection and the Minister of State is confident that the new ten-year capital plan 2018 to 2027 will see a continued significant allocation of funding for flood relief projects, including in places such as Bandon.

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