Results 7,241-7,260 of 10,594 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (9 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 to 253, inclusive, together. Bantry: The Flood Risk Management Plans launched in May 2018 included a recommendation to progress the project-level development and planning of a flood relief scheme for Bantry.  A Steering Group, comprising representatives from the Office of Public Works and Cork County Council, is in place to progress the Bantry Flood...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (9 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works is the lead agency for flood risk management in Ireland and is responsible for the development and implementation of flood risk policies and strategies.   The OPW, in partnership with Galway City Council, are currently progressing the development of a flood relief scheme for Galway City ‘Corrib go Cósta’ and following a tender...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (15 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: Conolly folly is a National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works.  It is considered that, in recent times, a vehicle of some type struck the boundary iron fence causing the visible damage.  Temporary barriers have been put in place until such time as the necessary repairs to the permanent fence can be undertaken. The CCTV system on site is a closed circuit system...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (15 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: The OPW had 49 qualified horticulturists employed as of 1 September 2020 and 48 qualified horticulturalists as of 1 September 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (15 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public works can confirm that there are no current plans to replace the windows at the location referred to by the Deputy . The windows, original (1948) Georgian style, timber sliding sash windows were fully refurbished in 2015 in this protect structure and are in good condition.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (16 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: Construction of the Fermoy North flood defence scheme commenced in 2009 and was completed in 2011.  The Scheme comprises grass-covered embankments, permanent walls, demountable flood barriers and pumping stations, and is designed to protect 77 properties on the north side of Fermoy against the 1-in-100-year flood event.  Damages avoided in such an event are estimated to be in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (16 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 201 and 202 together. The OPW is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995. The OPW carries out an annual programme of statutory Arterial Drainage Maintenance to a total of 11,500 km of river channel and approximately 730 km of embankments. The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (21 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: In any construction project, the Office of Public Works has to ensure that the finished building is fit for occupation prior to handover to the client. While construction works to the Garda Station building have been completed, commissioning of certain mechanical and electrical installations has not yet been demonstrated to the required standards. The Office of Public Works is actively...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (22 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: The procurement phase for this project is well progressed and this phase will be completed shortly. It is expected that a contract for the works will be placed following receipt of formal approval from An Garda Síochána and successful completion of all procurement processes. Construction should commence shortly thereafter and is expected to take about 20 months to complete.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Minister and I visited Bantry after the devastating flood last year. We are both well aware of the torment the town faced at that time. The reality is that interventions cannot come soon enough for Bantry. The flood risk management plan was launched in May 2018 and includes a recommendation to progress the project-level development and planning of a flood defence scheme for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will be aware that during and since the summer of 2020, I have had a number of opportunities to visit the west Cork area - not just Bantry, but also Clonakilty, Bandon, Skibbereen and Rosscarbery. In the intervening period, I have met the Cork county manager and his team to follow up on what exactly has been done in the interim period. The commissioner of the OPW with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: From my perspective, and I am on the record of the House as making the point, when the State, through the Exchequer and the taxpayers, puts large sums of money into protecting communities from flooding, whether in Mallow, Fermoy or elsewhere in County Cork, in Clonmel in County Tipperary or in any other town in the country, and these investments are proven to work, there is a reciprocal...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: Where schemes work and have been finished for years, as a citizen, taxpayer and representative of the people, I would expect that Insurance Ireland would provide insurance. Where that is not the case, I think it is a legitimate question-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: That is not a matter for the OPW. Those working at the OPW are engineers, not underwriters. It is not our job to assess insurance. That is the responsibility of an entirely different part of the Government.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: Where we finish schemes, we do so with local authorities. Where schemes are finished, and there is plenty of evidence of this around the country, that is a legitimate question that needs to be asked. However, it is one for an entirely different Department. Insurance Ireland has a role to play in this. There needs to be a bit of honesty attached to it. Where hundreds of millions of euro -...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Monuments (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that works are continuing on the external walls of Barryscourt Castle. The conservation nature of this project requires the use of heritage products and traditional lime mortar, which requires painstaking attention to detail and expert craftsmanship. The OPW is on target to complete its programme for 2021, which will leave 50% of the south...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Monuments (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: The answer is "Yes". We had a meeting with the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Noonan, to discuss the broader issue yesterday. We are engaged with Fáilte Ireland on the whole issue of how we look at our estate and at the responsibilities we have. As the Deputy will know, during the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to support I received...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Monuments (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: Due to the nature of the work the OPW does, social distancing and public health issues have meant that we have been put offsite twice, which has been desperately frustrating. I know the Deputy and other public representatives in the east Cork area would like this to be put on the record of the House. Last year OPW outdoor staff in Barryscourt came to the rescue when a group of local nuns in...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): National Monuments (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she is aware, on the night of 8 and 9 February 2020, extensive damage was caused to Carlow Castle following Storm Ciara. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery that the base of the collapse was constructed on clay foundations. This had major consequences for the safe repair and reconstruction of this section of the wall. The Office of...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): National Monuments (23 Sep 2021)

Patrick O'Donovan: As I said in a previous response to Deputy Stanton, I met yesterday with the Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan, to discuss the issue of properties for which the OPW is responsible. These are owned by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage but we have responsibility for managing their maintenance and preservation. I have opened discussions with the Minister and I hope...