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

I visited Bantry following the recent flood events, including last month after the flooding of 28 properties during Storm Barra. I have seen at first hand the devastation that flooding has caused to homeowners, businesses and the wider Bantry community. The flood risk management plan launched in May 2018 included a recommendation to progress the design, planning and construction of a flood relief scheme for Bantry. A steering group, comprising representatives from the Office of Public Works, OPW, and Cork County Council, is in place and is progressing this flood relief scheme to protect some 198 properties.

During 2021, Cork County Council, in partnership with the OPW, issued the tender documentation for the procurement of engineering and environmental consultants to design a viable scheme for the town. An assessment of all tenders has been completed by Cork County Council and I expect that consultants will be appointed in the coming weeks. Once appointed, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as with the wider public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity provide input into the development of this important scheme for the town. In the meantime, Cork County Council has engaged a contractor to treat some of the invasive species in preparation for the flood relief scheme. The Bantry flood relief scheme is being funded by the Department from the overall €1.3 billion for flood risk management allocated by the Government under the national development plan to 2030.

In tandem with progressing this scheme, Cork County Council is preparing the consultants' brief, which is expected to be issued in the first quarter this year, to carry out the repair and reconstruction of the culvert that runs under Main Street in the town. This culvert 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 and Cork County Council are liaising on the integration of these works with the flood relief scheme for the town.

In 2021, my office and the OPW approved some €180,000 under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for interim works to mitigate flooding in Bantry, including the installation of non-return valves and the provision of mobile pumps. The council has now identified a preferred contractor for these works and insurances are currently being finalised to confirm their appointment.

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