Christy O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for accepting this matter on the Adjournment. In November and December 2009, Skibbereen was hit by a series of floods which devastated the local community. The effect of these events was threefold. There was a major impact on the businesses of the town with some premises destroyed. It resulted in the closure of some long-established family businesses and it is estimated that it cost the town approximately €6 million. Insurance obviously then became an issue, and within the town some businesses and residential holdings are finding it impossible to get cover, which is having a significant impact. There is also the emotional toll. Confidence is low as there is a fear that with each heavy fall of rain or high tide we could again experience the events of last year. The local hospital was completely cut off. The COPE Foundation building was damaged and it is currently looking for other premises.

Since the flooding of last year the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh, has visited the town on more than one occasion. He has been more than willing to meet and reassure us that the OPW will not be found wanting when it comes to funding. The Minister of State is due to visit Skibbereen again this weekend to address the national flood forum, which is appropriate. There is no doubt that he is committed to providing funding that will address this situation. He has announced funding for Cork County Council to conduct a study that will identify the flood relief measures that will alleviate the flooding issues of Skibbereen. We realise that the new sewerage scheme has made this necessary. While this funding is welcome, my concern is about the amount of time this will take and what can be done in the interim.

To the people of Skibbereen it appears as if nothing has happened since the events of last year and no work has been done on any section of the River Ilen this year. This brings me to the main point of tonight's motion - that funding for minor flood relief works be provided immediately. I understand that Cork County Council has made an application for an early warning system. While I accept this is a necessary step, it will provide little relief to the people of Skibbereen because there is no work going on in the river.

While the study to identify the major works is vital, I am confident along with the people of Skibbereen that there are at least three physical improvements that could be carried out prior to the results of any survey as follows. There should be the selective removal of gravel, built up in the realigned channel between Kennedy Bridge, New Bridge and the Curragh Bridge. This is high priority and would cost approximately €100,000. Improvements should be made to culverts crossing Mardyke Road at an estimated cost of €10,000. Existing culverts across Townshend Street should be extended and a new inlet chamber and screens upstream of Townshend Street should be constructed which would cost an estimated €150,000. The total cost of these the works would come to €260,000, which is well within the figure announced by the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, for minor flood relief works.

I have spoken at length with members of Skibbereen flood committee who are confident these works would make a significant difference and go a long way to reducing the risk of flooding. It is reported that in a meeting between the OPW and Cork County Council it was stated that these measures would not be considered, but I urge the OPW to revisit this possibility.

Throughout Munster, towns are benefiting from minor flood relief to complete necessary work which is testament to the OPW's commitment to flood relief. I am asking for similar flood relief measures to be carried out in Skibbereen immediately. I am asking for the OPW to re-engage with Cork County Council and address the three issues I have outlined. I would like to know if the relief schemes in Munster are being fully funded by OPW and if it is true that for Skibbereen it is suggested that 90% funding should come from the OPW with the additional funding coming from Cork County Council. I want to know what is the status of the study that has been undertaken and if the three suggestions I have made will be given serious consideration. It is vital that the people of Skibbereen can at last be confident that their plight is being addressed.

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to update the House on the flooding issues in Skibbereen since I last spoke in the House on the matter in October.

In the wake of the flooding of November 2009, I travelled around the Cork area to see at first hand and discuss the impact of the severe flooding. I visited a number of locations in the county in January, including Skibbereen. Having seen the damage and talked to many of the town's residents and business owners, I am acutely aware of the distress they suffered at that time and their concern that steps be taken quickly to prevent a recurrence. I would like to assure them again of my determination to provide every assistance in that regard.

The Office of Public Works is continuing to work in partnership with Cork County Council - as it is with most other local authorities - to assess, manage and find a solution to the flood problem experienced in the Skibbereen area. The objective is to develop effective long-term flood relief works which will provide the required level of protection while also addressing any environmental issues.

In the aftermath of the November 2009 flood event, Cork County Council took the lead in addressing the flooding problem in the town by commissioning an initial scoping report from consultants. The consultants reviewed and analysed the conclusions of previous works and reports on the problem and identified channel capacity and tidal factors as likely contributing factors. A key recommendation of their report was that further, more detailed, analysis be undertaken which would take account of recent changes in the area, including urban development and climate change.

As I explained previously, the council subsequently submitted a number of applications for funding in February of this year in respect of Skibbereen under the Office of Public Works minor flood mitigation works scheme, which provides funding for interim works to address minor localised flood problems where a solution has been identified or can be identified readily. To qualify for funding, proposals must be economically viable and environmentally sustainable and should cost not more than €500,000 in each case. Deputy O'Sullivan is correct that 90% of the funding is provided by the Office of Public Works while the local authority must put up 10%. That applies throughout the country. The applications submitted by the council for Skibbereen were in respect of, first, a study focused on the River Ilen; second, interim flood mitigation works; and third, a flood warning system.

Following an assessment of the applications submitted by the council, the Office of Public Works allocated funding of €120,000 in 2010 for a comprehensive flood risk and management study of the Ilen catchment for the purpose of determining the cause of the flooding problem in the town and to identify appropriate, cost effective solutions. In addition to providing funding, the Office of Public Works provided substantial assistance for the council in developing the brief for the study. The council has issued tender documents requesting submissions from consultants to carry out the study, and tenders are due at the end of this month.

The council expects to be in a position to appoint the consultant in January 2011. The study could take up to eight months to complete. The council also invited separate tenders to undertake surveys of the river channel and flood plains. The tenders received in this regard are currently being assessed and it is expected that the contract for this element will be awarded in the coming weeks. An aerial survey of the study area has also been completed by the Office of Public Works. The applications made by the council for interim mitigation works were assessed by the OPW, which found that the proposed works would be premature in the light of the forthcoming study and would not have a significant impact in reducing flood risk. It remains the view of the Office of Public Works that the proposed study will provide the basis for developing effective permanent flood relief measures for Skibbereen.

The issue is not political will or funding, as there is ample funding for minor relief works, but a technical assessment of what is the most effective way to proceed. The weather in November so far has underlined the dangers at this time of the year. In fact, I attended a budget Council meeting in Brussels on Monday and there had been severe flooding in Belgium over the weekend in which four people died. There was also a consequential suicide. I have also received reports this morning of severe flooding in Cornwall, which is much closer to Skibbereen. The dangers and concern are well understood but we are anxious to prepare a thorough and effective scheme for Skibbereen as well as for Bandon. People in other parts of the country that are prone to flooding understand that full protection will not be available until planned works are carried out and completed. Unfortunately, the more ambitious and thorough the scheme, the longer the delay.

As regards the issue of a flood warning system, Cork County Council earlier this year commissioned UCC to examine and report on the feasibility of a such a system for Skibbereen. Based on the findings in UCC's report, the council has recently submitted a revised application under the minor works scheme for funding to implement a system in the town in advance of any significant structural works. The UCC study identifies a number of system options which are currently being examined by OPW engineers, in consultation with the council as necessary. A decision will be made on the application as soon as this assessment is complete. At this stage it is not possible to give a definitive timescale for the implementation of any works or other measures recommended by the study. The timescale would be influenced by a number of factors, including the scale of the proposed measures and the associated statutory or other consent processes. Every effort will be made to progress their implementation as quickly as possible in line with normal procedure.

Pending the implementation of any major flood relief scheme the study may recommend, it is still open to the council to develop and seek funding from the Office of Public Works under the minor works scheme for alternative proposals for minor mitigation works which the council considers worthwhile. Any such applications that meet the criteria of the scheme will be given favourable consideration by the Office of Public Works. I remain confident that the approach adopted the council and Office of Public Works offers the best prospect of identifying effective, viable and sustainable solutions to the flooding in Skibbereen.

As the Deputy will be aware, I will be in Skibbereen on 20 November, at the invitation of the local flood committee to attend a forum on flooding which it has organised on that date. That forum has a wider scope than just Skibbereen. At the forum I will outline the role of the Office of Public Works in flood risk management as well as the various measures in train to address flooding issues throughout the country. I will avail of the opportunity to engage with the residents and listen to their concerns. As I said previously any suitable interim proposals put forward by the council will be given full consideration by the Office of Public Works.