Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Burke for raising this matter and I am pleased to provide an update on the Glashaboy flood relief scheme, Glanmire, County Cork. He has raised this matter with me before and I am pleased to say that good progress is being made to advance this much-needed scheme.

As the Senator will know, the locations identified in this scheme include Sallybrook Industrial Estate, Hazelwood Shopping Centre, Meadowbrook housing estate, Butlerstown, Glenmore and from Glanmire Bridge to O'Callaghan Park. Following detailed assessment by the consultants, a number of measures were identified to address flood risk in the area, including direct defences such as walls and earth embankments, culvert upgrades, flood relief culverts, channel widening and road regrading. The scheme will benefit 103 properties in total of which 78 are residential properties and 25 are commercial premises. Two public information days were held in February 2014 and February 2015. Following the development of the options and preparation of the necessary environmental and engineering reports, a formal exhibition of the proposed Glashaboy flood relief scheme took place in November and December 2016, which showed the preferred option developed by the design team.

The Office of Public Works has submitted the Glashaboy flood relief scheme to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for formal confirmation under the Arterial Drainage Acts. The Minister will undertake an environmental assessment of the proposed scheme over the coming months. The assessment will be in line with required legislative requirements and will involve a public consultation. Cork County Council will progress the appointment of a contractor for this scheme following ministerial confirmation.

I praise Senator Burke on the work that he has done not only on behalf of the residents and the people he represents but also on the work that he has done with my Department, and we work closely with the county council. This is an ongoing flood scheme that he brought to my attention. This Government is very much committed and very much to the forefront in putting funding in place. I have read recent reports saying that because there was a cut in funding for my Department money may go towards the children's hospital. I assure the Senator that the money has been ring-fenced for this scheme. I assure him and the people he represents that that is the case.

Since I took up this job two years ago I have put huge emphasis on the Glashaboy scheme. As the Senator will know, I have brought the scheme to the attention of the Department of Finance. The project must go through an independent review. As soon as I have the review the people in his area, and working with the local authority, will get the green light to start the project.