Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 13 February 2025, for an update on the Corrib go Cósta project; if the design options have now been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16249/25]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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My question relates to the urgent need for flood defences in Galway and specifically an update on the Corrib na gCósta project. Have the design options been developed? I understand from a previous question that they are now out, but the Minister of State might just clarify that, and the status of the project given the appalling delays that have taken place up to now.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme was the largest study of flood risk in the country, studying the flood risk for some two thirds of the population. Following and based on the CFRAM study outputs, Galway City Council appointed consultant engineers in November 2020 to design an option to protect the city from a significant flood event in the future. The work completed by the consultants has identified that the scale of flood risk in Galway city is much greater than that identified in the strategic CFRAM study.

A revised scope reflecting the additional works for the scheme was presented by the scheme’s consultants to Galway City Council, the leading authority for the scheme. The scheme was originally intended to protect 312 properties. The revised scheme is designed to protect 940 properties. The revised scope includes quay walls that extend from the Galway dock area, including along Long Walk and the Spanish Arch. The properties in the Claddagh area, along Grattan Road and Father Griffin Road will be protected by the construction of a quay wall along the Claddagh basin and Nimmo's Pier. Flood defences along the property line, localised land and road raising in Salthill will manage wave overtopping risks.

Galway City Council submitted a request for additional funding to the OPW for an increase in the fees to facilitate the revised scope, and this was subsequently approved in June 2024. The revised programme was published on the scheme website in January 2025, with the scheme currently progressing with development of the design options.

There will be an opportunity for the public to view and comment on the design options, currently scheduled to take place in June 2025. Thereafter, the emerging preferred option will be significantly developed by the scheme consultants in conjunction with Galway City Council, and it is anticipated that this will be finalised in early 2026.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I wish the Minister of State the best in his job. Forgive my frustration. Maybe I should not use the phrase " appalling delays", but rather the absolutely unacceptable delay. I sat on the council. Like many people here, I was very familiar with the CFRAM programme and the necessity then following that to have flood defences. I think I am on my fourth Minister; it could be the fifth. Everyone took a hands-on approach. Planning originally was to be September 2023. Then it changed to July 2025. Then it became July 2027. The construction was to commence in October 2025, then June 2026, then December 2027. The completion date was to be September 2027. The next completion date was 2029, and March 2031 is now the completion date. We have had one public consultation. I know there will be another walk-in consultation in June this year. With regard to the figure of 312 properties, the city council knows that as well the engineers from back in 2021. The project has gone from €9 million to €50 million.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I really understand. I spoke to a great number of people in Galway. I was there when it flooded in the days when I was Minister of State previously. I understand the Deputy's frustration, but compared to the initial CFRAM study, we have gone from 312 to 940 properties. That takes in a huge area of Galway and many stakeholders. A lot of consultation has taken place. We have one chance to get it right. We cannot afford to get it wrong. There is a lot of work going on. From the day a scheme is announced to the day we get it on the ground takes between nine and ten years. It is very frustrating. We have a job in hand, however, working with the lead authority, which in this case is Galway City Council. I work closely with the officials, no more than the Deputy, and I give them every opportunity. If they need to do works such as minor works, the money is there for them. I have always helped to facilitate them in any way we can, as does the whole of government.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I hope the Minister takes a hands-on approach like his previous colleagues. I live in the Claddagh. I know the area; I have a vested interest. Besides that, however, it is a very important project. From day one there was a misunderstanding with regard to a once in 100 years event. That is what they were planning for when it was quite clear, and we witnessed the recent storm, that this was going to be a frequent event. Of course it is complex and I understand all that. We need to bring the public with us. If there is structure going up, the public need to be with us. There has been one public consultation, which was years ago. There will be a walk-in consultation to look at the plans and then down the road there will be a further consultation for the options. That will be really important. The project cost has gone from €9 million to €50 million. Finally it has dawned on the establishment that this is a very serious and complicated project and it will take time but we need somebody to drive it. I am asking the Minister of State to drive that given just some of the dates that have slipped. The project was going in one direction and then there was an argument with the consultants over the price, and I understand that. However, all of this should have been foreseen. At this point, I just want a commitment to a hands-on approach with regard to this and that there will be no further slippage in dates.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I am nearly afraid to say "a hands-on approach" because, as the Deputy said, four Ministers told her they were taking hands-on approach. My-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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They helped to---

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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My interest in flooding is no different from the Deputy's or the whole country. I give her a firm commitment. I have to follow the rules that are set out in front of me. I am working with the local authority and the Deputy and other Deputies from the region, and I will continue to work with them as I have in the past. My job as Minister of State is to deliver a scheme and when it goes from 312 properties to nearly 1,000, it means the scheme is broader and bigger and takes a lot more time. I understand that, and I hope the Deputy does. However, I will give her a commitment-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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That figure was from 2021.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I could talk to the Deputy about my town of Athlone-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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No, no, just the-----

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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It started off with four or five cells and ended up with 11 or 13. These all take time. The CFRAM programme set out to do a job. It has done the job and when they appointed the consultants, they realised the scheme was way bigger than it was. I will give the assurance that I will be hands-on and I will do what is necessary to bring it to a conclusion.