Dáil debates
Thursday, 8 February 2024
Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions
Flood Relief Schemes
11:50 am
Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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102. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to list all the flood relief schemes nationally, county by county, and indicate the stage of development each is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5518/24]
Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Minister of State to list all the flood relief schemes county by county and outline the stage of development each is at. He might give me the national figures and the stages they are at, and I can get the county-by-county list afterwards in the written response.
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I will not read into the record the start of the response because I have done so three times already today. I will skip that and I ask that it be put on the record.
The OPW will reach a series of important milestones in climate adaptation in 2024, such as: continuing the construction of three major schemes at Glashaboy in the Deputy’s constituency, Morell River and Whitechurch; commencing construction on up to five other schemes at King’s Island, Morrison’s Island in Cork, Crossmolina, about which there has been a bit of conversation, the Poddle River and the River Wad; and progressing up to three further schemes towards substantial completion at Athlone, Springfield and Templemore. These schemes will provide protection to over 600 properties.
Outside of these major schemes, as the Deputy knows, local authorities can apply to the Office of Public Works for minor flood mitigation works and the coastal protection scheme. This provides up to 90% of the funding required and, so far, has protected 7,900 properties.
I will outline a county-by-county breakdown of the major flood relief schemes that are currently being progressed. In Cavan, there is a scheme at Cavan town, which is at stage 1. In Clare, there is Kilkee, which is at stage 1; Shannon; and Springfield, which is almost at completion. In Cork, there is Ballinhassig, which is at stage 1; Ballymakeery-Ballyvourney, which is at stage 1; Bantry; the Bride River-Blackpool, about which there has been some conversation in the House; Carrigaline; Glashaboy, which is under construction; the lower Lee, which is an enormous scheme that the Deputy will know; Macroom; Midleton; and Morrison’s Island, which has gone out to tender. In Donegal, there is Ballybofey-Stranorlar; Buncrana; Burnfoot; Castlefinn; Donegal Town; Letterkenny; Lifford; Ramelton; and Raphoe. In Dublin, there is the Dodder; Dublin city; Loughlinstown; Malahide; the Poddle River; Portmarnock; Sandymount, which is at the scoping stage; Skerries; and Whitechurch, which is at stage 4.
I will come back to the other counties in my next contribution.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
A county-by-county breakdown of the major flood relief schemes and small flood relief projects that are currently being progressed is provided in the tables, including the current status or stage of each scheme. The 12 flood relief schemes that have reached substantial completion since 2018 are also listed.
Table 1. Major Flood Relief Schemes by County with Scheme Stage.
County | Scheme | Status |
---|---|---|
Cavan | Cavan Town Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Clare | Kilkee Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Clare | Shannon Town and Environs Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Clare | Springfield Flood Relief Scheme | Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Cork | Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Cork | Ballymakeery/Ballyvourney Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Cork | Bantry Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Cork | Bride River (Blackpool) Flood Relief Scheme | Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation |
Cork | Carrigaline Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Cork | Glashaboy (Glanmire / Sallybrook) Flood Relief Scheme | Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Cork | Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme | Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation |
Cork | Macroom Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Cork | Midleton Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Cork | Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project, Cork | Stage III: Detailed Design |
Donegal | Ballybofey - Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Donegal | Buncrana - Luddan Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Donegal | Burnfoot Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Donegal | Castlefinn Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Donegal | Donegal Town Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Donegal | Letterkenny Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Donegal | Lifford Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Donegal | Ramelton Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Donegal | Raphoe Flood Relief Scheme | Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation |
Dublin | Camac River Flood Alleviation Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Dublin | Dodder Phase 3 (Clonskeagh Road Bridge to Orwell Road Bridge) Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Dublin | Dublin City (River Wad - Phase 1B) Flood Relief Scheme | Stage III: Detailed Design |
Dublin | Loughlinstown Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Dublin | Malahide Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Dublin | Poddle River Flood Alleviation Scheme | Stage III: Detailed Design |
Dublin | Portmarnock (Strand Road) Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Dublin | Sandymount (Phase 1 & 2) Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Dublin | Sandymount (Phase 2) Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Dublin | Skerries (Mill Stream) Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Dublin | Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme | Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Galway | Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Galway | Galway City Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Galway | South Galway (Gort Lowlands) Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Kerry | Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Kerry | Tralee Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Kildare | Athy Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Kildare | Morell River Flood Management Scheme | Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Kildare | Naas Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Kilkenny | Freshford Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Kilkenny | Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Kilkenny | Piltown Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Laois | Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Laois | Portarlington Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Leitrim | Carrick on Shannon Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Limerick | Adare Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Limerick | Castleconnell Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Limerick | Kings Island Flood Relief Scheme | Stage III: Detailed Design |
Limerick | Limerick City & Environs Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Louth | Baltray Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Louth | Carlingford & Greenore Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Louth | Drogheda Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Louth | Dundalk and Ardee Flood Relief Schemes | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Mayo | Ballina Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Mayo | Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme | Stage III: Detailed Design |
Roscommon | Lough Funshinagh Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Tipperary | Marlfield Lake Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Tipperary | Nenagh Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping Stage |
Tipperary | River Mall (Templemore) Flood Relief Scheme | Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Westmeath | Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme | Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Wexford | Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Wexford | Rosslare, Co, Wexford | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Wexford | Wexford Flood Relief Scheme | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
Wicklow | Arklow (Avoca River) Flood Relief Scheme | Stage III: Detailed Design |
Table 2. Small Projects by County with Scheme Stage.
County | Scheme | Stage |
---|---|---|
Carlow | Carlow Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Clare | Bunratty Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Clare | Kilrush Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Donegal | Glenties Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Donegal | Kerrykeel (Carrowkeel) Flood Relief Scheme | Pre-Planning |
Donegal | Na Dúnaibh (Downings) Flood Relief Scheme (Na Dúnaibh FRS) | Commencement |
Galway | Clifden Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Kerry | Abbeydorney Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Kerry | Banna Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Kildare | Leixlip Scheme | Commencement |
Kilkenny | Ballyhale Flood Relief Scheme | Pre-Planning |
Laois | Clonaslee Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Leitrim | Leitrim Village Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Leitrim | Mohill Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Limerick | Athea Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Limerick | Rathkeale Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Longford | Longford Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Louth | Ardee Flood Relief Scheme | Pre-Planning |
Meath | Mornington Flood Relief Scheme Augmentation | Commencement |
Offaly | Rahan Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Roscommon | Bogganfin Flood Defence Scheme | Commencement |
Sligo | Rathbraghan Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Tipperary | Golden Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Tipperary | Holycross Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Tipperary | Killaloe/Ballina Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Tipperary | Knocklofty Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Waterford | Aglish Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Waterford | Ballyduff Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Wicklow | Avoca Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Small Projects by County and Stage | ||
---|---|---|
County | Scheme | Stage |
Carlow | Carlow Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Clare | Bunratty Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Clare | Kilrush Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Donegal | Glenties Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Donegal | Kerrykeel (Carrowkeel) Flood Relief Scheme | Pre-Planning |
Donegal | Na Dúnaibh (Downings) Flood Relief Scheme (Na Dúnaibh FRS) | Commencement |
Galway | Clifden Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Kerry | Abbeydorney Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Kerry | Banna Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Kildare | Leixlip Scheme | Commencement |
Kilkenny | Ballyhale Flood Relief Scheme | Pre-Planning |
Laois | Clonaslee Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Leitrim | Leitrim Village Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Leitrim | Mohill Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Limerick | Athea Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Limerick | Rathkeale Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Longford | Longford Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Louth | Ardee Flood Relief Scheme | Pre-Planning |
Meath | Mornington Flood Relief Scheme Augmentation | Commencement |
Offaly | Rahan Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Roscommon | Bogganfin Flood Defence Scheme | Commencement |
Sligo | Rathbraghan Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Tipperary | Golden Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Tipperary | Holycross Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Tipperary | Killaloe/Ballina Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Tipperary | Knocklofty Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Waterford | Aglish Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Waterford | Ballyduff Flood Relief Scheme | Scoping |
Wicklow | Avoca Flood Relief Scheme | Commencement |
Table 3. Substantially Complete Schemes since 2018 by County.
Substantially complete since 2018 by County | |
---|---|
County | Scheme |
Clare | Ennis (Lower) Flood Relief Scheme |
Clare | Ennis (South) Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork | Bandon Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork | Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork | Douglas (incl. Togher Culvert) Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork | Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme |
Dublin | Dodder Phase 2C, 2D, 2E Flood Relief Scheme |
Galway | Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme |
Galway | Dunkellin & Aggard Stream Flood Relief Scheme |
Louth | Bellurgan Flood Relief Scheme |
Mayo | Westport (Cois Abhainn & Ashwood) Flood Relief Scheme |
Meath | Ashbourne Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I said, I am asking for the overall figure nationally and whether a project at stage 1, stage 2 or whatever. This relates to the broader point of trying to clarify how many are at stage 1 and identifying any delays. I have spoken previously about schemes that have been beset by problems and I want to get an overall picture of how many are stuck, for want of a better adjective. The Minister of State might then outline what difficulties the various schemes are experiencing.
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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With regard to those that are currently active, there are 67 major flood schemes and 29 small schemes. These are being led by the local authorities in most cases. There are currently six at construction and these will provide protection for up to 870 properties. We have also initiated a pilot scheme between the Office of Public Works, Donegal County Council and Kilkenny County Council. There was a suggestion that as some of the schemes in tranche 2 are so slow coming out of it, there is a question as to whether they will ever come out of it. We have provided additional resources where that has been deemed necessary, and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be aware of this in the context of Galway. If a local authority submits a business case to us for additional personnel, whether in regard to hydrology, civil engineering or otherwise, the local authority in most cases has had the application viewed very positively by the Office of Public Works.
I have a fairly substantial table in my response which deals with stages 1 to 4 and others that have not even got off the starting blocks. I will forward that information to the Deputy afterwards.
Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. As I said, I want to gauge where we are at with the various schemes. Judging from the initial figures that the Minister of State read out, and I do not want to misquote him, there are 67 major schemes and 29 smaller schemes, and just six of them are at construction. If that is the headline figure, there are obviously difficulties with various schemes across the country that are stuck in the pipeline. I welcome the response and look forward to getting the detail afterwards. I might discuss various issues with the Minister of State afterwards.
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The opportunity for people to raise these issues on the floor of the Dáil is very important to me and the Office of Public Works. In recent years, we have been at pains to point out that these are not just flood relief schemes, as they were typically called, and they are an adaptation to El Niño and the climate issues that are currently being faced by the world and not only by Glashaboy, Coirib go Cósta and everywhere else. These are schemes designed to withstand 100-year events and have the international standard that goes with that. They are complicated by nature and we have had a lot of over-and-back with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, with regard to the planning applications around some of them. However, those that have been built and delivered have been very successful, and every Deputy is aware of one that has been delivered in their own constituency. The alleviation of the mental trauma for a community when we finally hand over to the local authority for completion is what is worth it at the end of the day. I thank the Deputy and other Deputies for using the opportunity to raise this because it gives me political capital with the Minister to make sure that more can be done.
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State is not lacking political capital, I can tell him.
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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As we have a short time left, we will go back to Question No. 95 from Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú. He will not get all of his time but he will get some of it.