Dáil debates

Thursday, 22 March 2018

Other Questions

Flood Relief Schemes Status

11:10 am

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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7. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Enniscorthy flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/18]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Minister of State the position of the Enniscorthy flood relief scheme.

Photo of Kevin  MoranKevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The River Slaney flood relief scheme is being progressed by the Office of Public Works, OPW, in conjunction with Wexford County Council. The scheme has been provided for in the OPW multi-annual capital expenditure budgets, and is one of the major schemes financed under the national development plan for the period from 2018 to 2027.

Consultants Mott MacDonald are leading on the design of the flood defences element, with Roughan O’Donovan Consulting Engineers commissioned to design the proposed new road bridge. The existing Seamus Rafter Bridge is a contributing factor to flooding in Enniscorthy and must be removed to ensure the success of the scheme. A replacement road bridge will be constructed just downstream of the town, crossing over the existing playground, and a new pedestrian bridge will be constructed in the area of the Seamus Rafter Bridge.

Initial site investigations have been completed, along with archaeological and ecological assessments and reports. An advance programme to control and eradicate invasive species of vegetation is under way. Following the identification of these invasive species within the site in 2015, a detailed survey was carried out to ascertain the full extent of the problem and to enable a management plan and treatment programme to be put in place. Treatment, which involves the controlled application of an approved herbicide, was carried out in 2016 and 2017. During 2018, the treatment of Japanese knotweed will take place in April and September and the treatment of Himalayan balsam will be carried out in July this year. Further advance construction elements involve relocation of services and utilities along the promenade are expected to commence in 2018.

The scheme design and environmental impact assessment report and other relevant reports will be made available to the public through the statutory exhibition process. Following this, submissions received will be assessed and designs may be amended as a result. Subsequently, formal confirmation or approval for the scheme will be sought from the Minister for Finance and for Public Expenditure and Reform, with construction expected to start in mid to late 2019.

11:20 am

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for being bang on time.

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Following two years of delays, I question the Government's commitment to deliver this much-anticipated flood relief scheme for Enniscorthy. I received a reply to a recent parliamentary question said that a public information event about the proposed works was now scheduled for this summer. This is nearly two years behind schedule. The Government had said it would hold a public display in 2016, then it was to be the third quarter of 2017 and then it was the first quarter of 2018. Construction was originally due to commence in 2017 and is now delayed until the first quarter of 2019 at the earliest, according to the most recent answer. For almost two years the Government has rescheduled the public information events. These delays are completely unacceptable. I understand there is significant demand for flood relief schemes in the State and I am very concerned that Enniscorthy is going to lose out on funding if there are any further delays on this.

Photo of Kevin  MoranKevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Deputy is well aware that once a scheme is announced, there is an amount of work that goes on around the planning process for the scheme. It takes quite a considerable amount of time. This is working with the local authorities and the relevant bodies and, most importantly, the people in the areas. Deputy Browne is aware that I recently visited Enniscorthy and saw the issues at first hand. I met the county manager, the director of services and the people on the ground to see and sense exactly what the issues are around the flooding in Enniscorthy. As late as last week when I was in Kenya, I was in contact with the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, due to the threat to the people in Enniscorthy in this regard. I am fully aware of the delay that took place with the scheme, but I am also aware of the pace at which I am moving to get this scheme up. I believe it is to go on public display in the middle of next month. We should await the outcome of that before judgment is cast on my job. I will deliver on this scheme.

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I am not casting judgment on the Minister of State. I am casting judgment on the two-year delay on the scheme going on public display. I am quite happy that it is going to happen. I praise the county council staff and the emergency services who have done tremendous work during the crisis when Ireland experienced severe snow. They had barely got back to their beds before they had to get up again to deal with potential flooding of the town by the river, which was within millimetres of bursting its banks. Thankfully it did not, but it needs to progress as quickly as possible. I thank the Acting Chair, Deputy Eugene Murphy, who has also brought this matter up. This has been let slip for two years and it cannot be allowed to slip any further. Enniscorthy is very vulnerable to flooding. It has caused regular crises for local businesses and homes as a result. It causes a huge amount of distress and damage to the economy of the town. We need to see the scheme progressed quickly. I have heard comments about it being prioritised. I fail to see how anything is being prioritised when it is already two years behind schedule.

Photo of Kevin  MoranKevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I am fully aware of the hardship, concern and the mental strain of worry that flooding causes people. I assure the Deputy that my Department is working very closely with the local authority to advance the scheme.