Results 3,381-3,400 of 10,778 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: In reply to your question, the Phoenix Park is unique in Ireland, comprising many components that serve a variety of functions. While it is a historic landscape of international significance enjoyed by millions of people on a yearly basis, it is also home to a number of important institutions including St Mary’s Hospital, Garda Headquarters and Aras an Uachtarain, all of which require...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Climate change projections indicate that flooding events are expected to become more frequent and severe in the future. This will have a considerable impact on flood risk in Ireland, particularly where our cities and most of our main towns are located either on the coast or alongside our estuaries or rivers. Following on from the review of national flood policy, launched in 2018, the OPW...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 48 and 55 together. The Government has noted the study by the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group that supports a programme of strategic maintenance to help mitigate flooding along the River Shannon and a further study on the removal of a series of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows that can...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Historically, flood risk management focused on the arterial drainage of river catchments to improve agricultural land. Maintenance of Arterial and Drainage District channels, designated under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, is the responsibility of the OPW and Local Authorities respectively. These include the maintenance by the OPW of the Boyne, Inny and Glyde-and-Dee Arterial Drainage...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW and will bring...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Coastal erosion is a natural and ongoing process, which takes place around the entire coastline. The Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have responsibility for the preparation of a national coastal erosion strategy or plan. The OPWs prime responsibility in this area is the management of flood risk. However, the Government has established an Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am advised that flood defences in the Spanish Arch and docks area of Galway city are being developed as part of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme. Galway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Scheme, with technical advice and funding provided by the Office of Public Works. On the 30thNovember last...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Court Accommodation (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I can confirm to the Deputy that Francis Haughey Construction, Building Contractor, commenced with site set up at Carlow Court House on the week commencing 10thJanuary 2022. Francis Haughey has issued the Office of Public Works with a programme for the works and has confirmed a completion date for the repairs to the railings of the end of June 2022. It is my intention to visit Carlow and see...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme was undertaken by the Office of Public Works in partnership with Cork County Council, and was substantially completed in February 2021, providing protection to 296 properties against river and tidal flooding. The surface water issues at Faxbridge roundabout are a road/surface drainage issue, are not connected with the works, and did not fall within the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The qualifications of the OPW’s  Management Board incorporate a diverse and wide range of professional, technical, academic and executive qualifications, skills and experience. The broad scope of functions carried out by the OPW requires a leadership team that is qualified to meet the evolving needs of government, to respond effectively to changing environmental and policy...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Information is presented in the following table. Details as per PQ Grade equivalent to Numbers Architects 1 Principal Architect at Assistant Secretary Level 3 Assistant Principal Architects at Principal Officer level 37 Senior Architects at Assistant Principal level 41 Architects at Administrative Officer level 18 Architectural Assistants at...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Reviews (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: In 2014 the Chairman of the OPW commissioned a review to specifically assess the OPW’s Estate Portfolio Management capacity and capability to deliver the Government’s property-related reforms and on the recommendations contained in the Property Asset Management Delivery Plan (PAMDP), 2013.  The Capacity and Capability (C&C) review was one of the recommendations...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (20 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has an extensive network of technical and professional property personnel. The nature of the work of the OPW requires the input of professional, technical and administrative staff working in multi-disciplinary teams across a wide range of Estate Management Functions, including the acquisition and disposal of property, the design, project management and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Risk Management (19 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I welcome the opportunity to provide an update to the House on the progress being made on the Dundalk, Blackrock south and Ardee flood relief scheme. As the Senator knows, I visited County Louth to learn more about the flooding in the county and the plans the Office of Public Works has to manage the risk. I am aware of the impact of flooding on homeowners, businesses and communities in the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Risk Management (19 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is important to point out that as part of the scheme, Louth County Council intends to integrate in a comprehensive and planned manner to consider the construction of a greenway that will form part of the proposed greenway link from Belfast to Dublin that is often referred to as the great eastern greenway. It will enable walkers and cyclists to travel off-road between Belfast and Dublin....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (19 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works commenced construction of the Fermoy North flood defence scheme in 2009, and the scheme was completed in 2011. The Scheme comprises grass embankments, permanent walls and 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 in are...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (19 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme was substantially completed on 6 June 2019.  All known defects arising from the construction have been remedied, with some delays as a result of Covid-19. Planning for the operation and maintenance of the scheme is ongoing in conjunction with Cork County Council, who will act as agents of the OPW in carrying out the statutory operation and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (19 Jan 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together. The Government has allocated €1.3bn under the National Development Plan to 2030 to support the design and construction of some 150 flood relief schemes to manage Ireland’s risk from significant flooding. Cavan County Council confirmed in May 2019 that the Council would act as lead agency on the management and delivery of the...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: It is assumed that the query relates to a Flood Relief Scheme carried out by the Commissioners. The Commissioners of Public Works carry out Certain Flood Relief Works under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995. These Acts provide that compensation is payable for net damages arising from compulsory interference and acquisition. Compensation provisions are largely...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: Following a recent positive meeting between Minister O’Donovan and the Comharchumann, the OPW made an offer in principle of a site for the community facility in question. A location adjacent to the Ionad on OPW lands, but not on the immediate footprint of the Ionad site, has been provisionally identified. OPW is assured that this site would be acceptable to the Comharchumann. To...