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

Ta Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí, i gcomhpháirtíocht le Comhairle Contae Chorcaí, ag dul i ngleic go réamhghníomhaíoch leis an rogha is fearr a chur chun cinn le haghaidh scéim faoisimh thuilte inmharthana do Bhaile Bhuirne agus Baile Mhic Íre, a chosnóidh 90 réadmhaoin ó riosca suntasach ó thuilte. Cork County Council, which will act as the lead authority for the scheme, is currently engaging with the Office of Public Works to define the scope of the consultancy brief, after which the procurement of a consultant will follow. I was glad to have the opportunity to visit these communities with Deputy Moynihan recently.

In the interim, Cork County Council has been approved funding of €187,248 in October 2018, under the OPW’s minor works scheme. This funding is for the provision of temporary flood defence measures, including sand-bag defence structures and raising the ground level.

Malachy Walsh and Partners, MWP, consulting engineers, have been commissioned by Cork County Council to complete the design of the interim flood relief measures in Ballyvourney. This work is now well under way and a detailed design is expected to be completed by the end of quarter 1 of this year, with the intention of going to tender for construction shortly thereafter. The proposed flood relief scheme at Ballingeary is in tranche 2. It will be progressed at a projected cost of approximately €3.1 million and will be revised during the options development stage. The proposed scheme consists of flood walls and embankments and will protect 46 properties when completed.

The proposed flood relief scheme at Inchigeelagh is also in tranche 2. It will be progressed at a projected cost of more than €2.5 million and will be revised during the options development stage. The proposed scheme consists of flood walls and embankments and will protect 28 properties when completed.

Once consultants are appointed to progress these schemes, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the general public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have an opportunity to input into the development of the schemes. These schemes will be funded from the Government's allocation of €1.3 billion to our Department up to 2030. The most immediate issue is the reports that are due back from MWP, which will hopefully allow, in the Ballyvourney case, progress to be made this year and beyond.

See this speech in context