Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I am glad that a very understanding and sympathetic Minister of State is taking this matter.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I will be sympathetic all right.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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When I raised the issue of flooding in west County Cork about six or eight weeks ago, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, gave me a commitment to give me an updated report regarding what is happening with Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen. Tremendous work was carried out in Bandon, which was flooded in November 2009 to the extent that in some cases properties were flooded to a depth of six or eight feet of water. Work had progressed there but, unfortunately, in recent weeks the contractor left the site resulting in the work being stalled, which is of serious concern to the people of Bandon. On Monday, 19 November, I attended a removal in Bandon and it was almost impossible to get to the funeral home because of the presence of the fire brigade, Garda vehicles, etc., following a flood warning. Thankfully, the projected flood with potentially disastrous consequences did not emerge.

A number of assurances were given and schedules outlined for works in Skibbereen, and every year the works have been delayed or postponed. Last spring, the senior county engineer promised an early warning system, but that has not materialised. Such a system is essential because on two or three nights last week members of a voluntary flood-prevention group in Skibbereen were up at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. trying to predict when the high tides and the swollen river waters would converge and cause flooding in the town. Thankfully, only minimal flooding occurred. Why have the scheduled works been deferred? Is there a problem with the money? Why has there been a lack of progress given the commitments made by the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and his predecessor, Dr. Martin Mansergh?

Clonakilty was flooded again recently. This and the previous Government made a commitment that where towns or villages are subjected to increased and constant flooding, no issues would be put in the way with regard to lack of finance. As far as I can gather, that commitment has been reasonably honoured, but in these three towns in my area in different ways and at different times severe flooding has occurred. Following this year's abnormal rainfall resulting in major saturation of the land, I am deeply concerned that during the winter one or more of these three towns will be flooded with major personal losses to individuals in their homes and losses to businesses. There are also concerns of bodies such as Civil Defence, the county council and others that are there to defend it.

In the past 12 months it appears that when the county council office closes at 5 p.m. the engineers and the other staff who are critical to the monitoring and prevention of floods seem to vanish. The continued input by senior staff such as engineers and area managers is not available after that time in the evening, which is ridiculous. I do not know if this is caused by a shortage of staff following cutbacks. The high tides and torrential rain which can lead to flooding are easily predicted and the people who should be in command of these situations, such as the senior engineers, should be available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, as are the people on the ground and the voluntary people. I ask the Minister of State to comment on that.

Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for his interesting tour of south-west Cork.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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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.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate what the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, stated and will take it on board. Despite his response, and while I accept he is not the line Minister dealing with this issue, I am concerned that the delays on these issues are of grave concern to the communities in these areas.

Flooding creeps up in the night. It affects people, with water damage to their homes and businesses. It does significant damage. The progress that was promised has not been as effectual as I would like it to be. For example, this exhibition in Skibbereen was to have been held a couple of months ago and they now say it will be next spring. There is a delay every year in different phases of five or six months and over a five year schedule, there could be another year or a year and a half tagged on. I am concerned about the delay.

I do not expect the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, will be in a position to give me a response. I am deeply concerned, particularly about Bandon and Skibbereen which have a history in recent years of appalling flooding, that progress could be certainly much better.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, is very concerned. This is a detailed response from OPW. There is no ambiguity at all about this. The company went into voluntary liquidation and there was reappointment. Unfortunately, it is like anything else in that certain matters would be outside of one's control. There is all the evaluation and public consultation. The Senator has been a politician for even longer than me and knows exactly how months can slip by. He can be assured of the commitment of the voted estimate of the Department, that the allocation will be made in 2013 and 2014. There is total commitment within the Government to ensure this matter is corrected.

No doubt the OPW does an effective job, as has been shown in such work that has already been carried out in other areas in Cork. I am confident from the commitment of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, that this work will move forward as quickly as possible.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of clarification, the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, has stated I have been in politics longer than him. That is probably true, but I am not as prominent.

Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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I shall not adjudicate on that matter.