Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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199. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 232 of 9 September 2021, if there was any type of contract in place of any nature to maintain, operate and monitor the Fermoy north pumping station at the time when the flooding occurred. [44268/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Construction of the Fermoy North flood defence scheme commenced in 2009 and was completed in 2011.  The Scheme comprises grass-covered embankments, permanent walls, demountable flood barriers and pumping stations, and is designed to protect 77 properties on the north side of Fermoy against the 1-in-100-year flood event.  Damages avoided in such an event are estimated to be in the order of €18m.

Cork County Council carries out the operation and maintenance of the Fermoy North scheme on behalf of the Office Public Works, the Contracting Authority. The County Council engages a contractor who regularly services the pumping stations, at both Rathealy Road and the Western Embankment.  The contractor made immediate interim adjustments at the pumping stations following the February 23rd flood event and then serviced the pumps to ensure the systems were functioning.  Personnel from Cork County Council monitor the pumping stations.

Cork County Council, in conjunction with OPW, have been investigating the possible cause or causes which led to the February 2021 flood event, including investigations regarding the functioning of the pumping stations at both Rathealy Road and the Western Embankment.   After the flood event of 23rd February 2021, the OPW engaged a specialist firm to provide a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of both Fermoy North pumping stations. This analysis will aim to determine what occurred on 23rd February and make appropriate recommendations, where necessary.