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

I am pleased to provide an update to the House on the progression of the River Glashaboy flood relief scheme at Glanmire and Sallybrook, Cork. This scheme was confirmed on 18 January 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform pursuant to section 7 of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 and all other powers enabling him in that regard. The confirmation is subject to the conditions that were agreed to by the Commissioners for Public Works in Ireland, which is the approving authority for the scheme.

The 12-week period for judicial review expired on 12 April 2021 without receipt of any objections. The procurement to appoint the civil works contractor for this scheme is being progressed. I am advised by Cork City Council, as the contracting authority for this flood relief scheme, that it expects to invite tenders for this civil work contract during the third quarter of this year.

The scheme will provide protection to some 103 properties, including 78 residential properties and 25 commercial premises. It will address the flood risk in a number of locations in the Glanmire area and will include defences such as walls and embankments, culvert upgrades, channel widening and road regrading.

The flood relief scheme is being funded through the Government's €1 billion investment in flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040. Provision for the cost of the scheme is included in the OPW's multi-annual capital allocation.

A project steering committee with representatives from Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the OPW is in place, meeting monthly with the engineering consultants to oversee the delivery of this project. I know that moving to appoint a civil works contractor and to construction is welcomed by the residents who have been affected by flooding in Glanmire. I am ensuring that my officials and officials in Cork City Council are working closely with other State bodies, including Irish Water, to ensure that all of the flood risk in the area is being addressed.

I reassure residents and business owners in the Glanmire area that, as with the other flood relief schemes completed in other towns, this scheme will provide the standard of protection against significant flood events, which the Deputy and other public representatives in the area have been contacting me about.

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