Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. He is not in a position to attend the debate due to family issues. I spoke to him late last night and he has no issue talking to the Deputies.

The flood risk management plans launched in May 2018 included a recommendation to progress the project-led development and planning of a flood relief scheme for Bantry. As Deputies will be aware, a steering group comprising representatives from the Office of Public Works and Cork County Council is in place to progress the Bantry flood relief scheme. The plans, with outline designs of possible measures, estimated a preliminary total project cost of €6.7 million for the scheme, which will protect 198 properties. The viable scheme option for Bantry, as identified at the catchment-based flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, level of assessment and having an estimated cost of €6.7 million, consisted of fluvial flood defences comprising walls and embankments and tidal flood defences comprising sea walls, and is expected to provide protection against a 100-year fluvial flood or a 200-year tidal flood.

On 11 March 2021, Cork County Council, in partnership with the OPW, issued the tender documentation for the procurement of engineering consultants via etenders.ieand tenders were returned on 30 July 2021. An assessment of these tenders has been completed by Cork County Council and it is expected consultants will be appointed in the coming weeks. I acknowledge Deputy O’Sullivan was told that a couple of months ago but I cannot answer why they have not yet been appointed. Once consultants have been appointed to progress the flood relief scheme for Bantry, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure all parties will have the opportunity to input into the development of this scheme.

In the meantime, Cork County Council has engaged a contractor to treat some of the invasive species in preparation for a flood relief scheme for the town. The flood relief scheme will be funded from within the allocated €1.3 billion for flood risk management over the period of the national development plan to 2030.

Provision for the cost of the scheme is included in the OPW's multi-annual capital allocation. Cork County Council is also progressing the preparation of the consultant's brief, which is expected to issue in quarter 1 of 2022, to carry out the repair and reconstruction of the Main Street culvert. This has been identified as a significant element contributing to flooding on Main Street, New Street and north and south of Wolfe Tone Square in recent months. The OPW is liaising with Cork County Council on the integration of these works with the flood relief scheme for the town.

In March 2021, an application under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for interim works to mitigate flooding in Bantry, which includes installation of non-return valves and provision of mobile pumps, was submitted to the OPW by Cork County Council. This application for funding of approximately €140,000 has been approved and the council is progressing these works. A preferred tender has been identified for supply and installation of the non-return valves. The contractor's health and safety information and insurance are being finalised to allow the appointment of the contractor be confirmed. In addition to the proposals I have outlined, prior to forecasted extreme weather events such as the current event, Storm Barra, local area staff from Cork County Council are implementing interim measures to assist and mitigate flooding, such as the deployment, as Deputy Cairns said, of sandbags at Sand Quay and mobile pumping.

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