Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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168. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood relief schemes to be introduced at various locations in south County Galway; the timelines for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39512/19]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) is undertaking a number of flood relief schemes in County Galway which are at various stages of design or construction. The projects set out below pertain to the south of the County.

Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme

Galway County Council is leading on the development and implementation of the Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme with the Council acting as the Contracting Authority for the project and funding provided by the OPW.

The combinations of river water, groundwater, swallow holes and turloughs in the karst Gort Lowlands catchment makes this area unique on an international level from an ecology perspective. Due to the intricate nature of the Gort Lowlands area, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Geological Surveys Ireland (GSI) have been contributing to the development of the Scheme.

All hydrological modelling is due to be completed before the end of 2019 with feasibility and route selection assessment expected to be completed by early 2020. The Public Exhibition of the proposal will follow before being submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for formal Confirmation under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts. If the developed scheme is acceptable from an environmental and cost benefit perspective, it is possible that construction will commence in 2021 with an estimated construction period of eighteen months.

Portumna Flood Relief Scheme

Flood relief measures have been identified for Portumna in the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan which was published in May 2018.

The Portumna Flood Relief Scheme is not being progressed in the first phase of investment under the Government's €1 billion flood risk capital programme but  will be progressed in the coming years and within the 10 year timeframe for the programme of investment.

The OPW is assisting Galway County Council with resources to enable the Council to progress Galway County flood relief projects.