Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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100. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide information in relation to following flood relief scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29987/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Enniscorthy (River Slaney) flood defence scheme is being progressed by Wexford County Council (WCC) on behalf of the Commissioners of Public Works as a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. This is a significant scheme within the Office of Public Works €1 billion flood relief investment programme nationally, from which the relevant funding for the Enniscorthy scheme will be made available, and on completion will protect 236 properties in the town.  The length and percentage of the flood relief walls in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford that will comprise of glass panelling are set out below:

- Length of flood wall : 2,330m

- Length of glass panelling : 500m

- Percentage of Glass panelling : 21.50 %

It is worth noting that the use of Glass panelling adds to the overall cost of the scheme and can attract vandalism. Schemes in Clonmel and Waterford have been subject to such incidents in recent years. The use of Glass panelling can be an important component of the scheme design, improving the aesthetic and providing or maintaining a link to the water, but its use should be targeted and cognisant of the issue of vandalism and cost.  

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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101. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the length and percentage of the flood relief walls in the Waterford flood relief scheme that are made of glass panelling as portrayed in images (details supplied); the costings for glass panels for the scheme; and the cost for each of the scheme. [29988/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Waterford City Flood Alleviation scheme was carried out in four phases, over a 12-year period, with Waterford City and County Council (WCCC) acting as the contracting authority and funding provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The overall cost of the project was in the region of €25 million which included design and construction costs, land acquisition and accommodation works. 

Overall 3,770 linear metres of flood walls were constructed (in addition to embankments) on the Waterford Flood Alleviation Scheme.  In total around 212 linear metres of glass flood wall are included in this, which is 5.6% of the overall approximate length.  Some spare panels were also included in the contracts and a number of these have been used as replacements due to a number of incidents of vandalism over the years.  Glass panels were only used where they were considered to specifically enhance the appearance of the rivers edge.