Seanad debates

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Adjournment Matters

Flood Relief

7:00 pm

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, who is not available. I thank the Senator for raising the matter. I am very aware that these issues are of great concern to the people affected.

The Office of Public Works is working closely with Cork County Council to deal with flood risk in a number of locations in the county including, Bandon, Skibbereen and Clonakilty. In June the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, launched the exhibition of the proposals for the Bandon flood relief scheme, following the study of the flooding problem there for which consultants were appointed by the OPW in December 2010. The proposed scheme comprises the construction of new walls and embankments, the excavation of the channel for a distance of 3.5 km, replacement of the existing footbridge, underpinning of Bandon Bridge, provision of a rock ramp for fish passage along with works to the drainage system and the provision of new pump stations.

The proposed scheme was warmly welcomed by elected representatives and the general public, and it is expected that the detailed design of the scheme will commence very soon. The advancement of the scheme to the detailed design stage was hampered by events outside of the control of the OPW when the project design consultant, WYG (Ireland) Limited, was placed in voluntary liquidation in August. The matter has now been resolved with the water services division of WYG being taken over by Byrne Looby Partners, allowing the project to proceed. A key aspect of this transition is that the staff involved in the Bandon scheme since its inception will continue to work on the project, thus ensuring full continuity in service and design input.

It had originally been hoped construction works would commence in the river during the summer of 2013, outside of the October to May fish spawning period when such works are prohibited. Unfortunately, due to the delay incurred as a result of the situation with the design consultants, it will no longer be possible to meet that timeline. A significant amount of time will be required for the necessary site investigation works, detailed design and the procurement of a civil works contractor. Everything possible will be done to maintain progress on the scheme and it is hoped that land-based works may be possible towards the end of next year, with the river works commencing in the next available environmental window during the summer of 2014.

The Senator has referred to the Bandon sewerage scheme works and the fact that the contractor has left the site. This is not a matter for the OPW, as this is a contract being undertaken by Cork County Council. I understand, however, that the contract in question has been terminated and that the council is in the process of re-tendering the contract. The council has indicated to the OPW that the works are likely to restart in May 2013. The OPW has requested that any works in areas that will also be affected by the flood relief scheme will be programmed to commence at the start of the sewerage scheme contract, in order to avoid any potential difficulties.

In Skibbereen, a flood relief scheme is being developed by Cork County Council with funding being provided by the OPW. There have been two information days where a preferred scheme was presented to the public, with the main proposals including new walls and embankments, some localised channel widening, localised regrading of the channel and some improvements to the local drainage system. The proposals were warmly welcomed and it is expected that the council will bring the full scheme to formal exhibition in the first quarter of next year. Subject to the exhibition process going well, it would be hoped to advance the scheme to detailed design and procurement of a civil works contractor with a view to commencing construction in late 2013 or early 2014.

Clonakilty has been identified as an area for further assessment under the OPW's ongoing south-west catchment flood risk assessment and management study. In light of recent severe flood events, it was agreed with Cork County Council that the OPW would request the consultants for the CFRAM study, Mott McDonald, to accelerate their assessment of the flooding problem in the town including the hydrology, hydraulic modelling and mitigation measures option selection process for the town.

This process is now under way. A public information day was held on 16 October 2012 where the public was invited to provide as much information as possible to the consultants on the flooding events which have occurred in the town. This was well attended. It is expected that a preferred option will be presented for public consultation in summer-autumn of next year. In the interim, I welcome the fact that Cork County Council is proceeding with works to help provide some short-term alleviation to the flooding situation in the town, primarily focused on measures to improve the surface water drainage in the town.

The OPW has made financial provision for flood relief schemes for Bandon, Skibbereen and Clonakilty in its multi-annual capital expenditure profiles from 2013 and the Minster of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, looks forward to progress being made on the schemes and to construction works commencing on the ground as currently programmed, subject to the continued availability of funding in that period.

I am quite certain I can raise the Senator's point on the offices with the Minister, Deputy Hogan. I would say the Cork county manager would provide after-hours services. I will convey the Senator's concerns to the Deputy Hogan who is the line Minister for the county council.

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