Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

There is a long history of flooding in Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera. The Office of Public Works, working in partnership with Cork County Council, is proactively progressing a preferred option for the viable flood relief scheme in Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera that will protect 90 properties from significant risk of flooding.

The OPW drafted an options report for a proposed flood relief scheme for the town over an extended period. It includes hydrological analysis, hydraulic modelling and flood mapping. The OPW also developed a river option for flooding alleviation and made a recommendation on a preferred option.

The likely environmental impact of the preferred option identified the potential impact on the protected freshwater pearl mussel and the necessity to consider a broad range of options to identify the most appropriate approach to managing flood risk prior to seeking consent. Cork County Council is the lead authority and is developing the scope of works for the engineering and environmental consultant to develop the most appropriate approach. The OPW is actively engaging with the local authority to finalise the consultancy brief.

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