Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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55. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the planned expenditure on flood relief in Cork city over the next ten years. [45594/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Government has allowed for €1 billion of capital investment in Flood Risk Management over the period 2018 to 2027 as part of the National Development Plan. This allocation is to allow the OPW, in collaboration with Local Authority Delivery Partners, to continue implementation of its comprehensive programme of investment in flood relief schemes nationally. This programme currently includes over 150 projects, with eight currently at construction and a further 38 at various stages of design. The Government and I are committed to implementing the remaining projects within the timeframe of the National Development Plan, a number of which have already commenced and all of which are scheduled to be complete or underway in the lifetime of the NDP. In addition to these projects, the OPW will continue to fund Local Authorities to undertake local flood mitigation projects under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

The Office of Public Works has planned significant expenditure for flood relief works in Cork City as part of the NDP. The projects included in this expenditure profile include the main Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme, as well as schemes for Blackpool, Glashaboy and Douglas/Togher, and co-funding flood defence works in Morrison’s Island.

Lower Lee and Morrison’s Island

The Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme has an estimated cost of approximately €140m, including contributions to the estimated cost of approximately €12m for the Morrison’s Island scheme, which is a Cork City Council-led public realm scheme with flood defence elements part-funded by OPW.

The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is currently at Detailed Design stage and it is intended to submit the Scheme for Confirmation to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in early 2022. While the project budget of the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme at Public Exhibition stage was €140m, significant enhancements to the proposed scheme design, resulting from engagement and submissions at Public Exhibition stage, will require this figure to be revised before the submission for Confirmation. Once the Scheme is confirmed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, and following the appointment of Contractors, the Scheme will have an anticipated construction period of 5-6 years.

Although the Morrison’s Island project is primarily a public realm project, which is being advanced by Cork City Council, it will also include the integration of flood defences in the area, and elements of its design are therefore being coordinated with the design of the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, and co-funded by the Office of Public Works. An Bord Pleanála granted approval for the Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project in June 2020. However, in August 2020, the Save Cork City (SCC) Community Association Ltd. applied for, and was granted, leave to take a Judicial Review of An Bord Pleanála’s decision to approve the project. The Judicial Review hearing took place in July 2021 and the High Court upheld the Decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant the planning permission for the proposed development, and refused a stay on the undertaking of any works pursuant to the grant of the planning permission for the proposed development. Accordingly, tender documentation for the procurement of a civil works contractor is to be finalised and issued later in 2021.

Blackpool

The Blackpool flood relief scheme has an estimated cost of €20.5m. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform confirmed the Blackpool Flood Relief Scheme in March 2021 and construction was expected to commence in 2022. However, due to ongoing Judicial Review proceedings, expenditure on the Scheme will be significantly reduced in 2022 and, subject to the outcome of Judicial Review proceedings, construction may not commence until 2023 at the earliest, which in turn may delay the substantial completion target date of 2025.

Douglas

The Douglas flood relief scheme (including Togher culvert) is being progressed by Cork County Council and Cork City Council (following boundary extension). In November 2017, planning approval was given by An Bord Pleanala for the Douglas (including Togher culvert) scheme. The scheme is being delivered in three Phases. Construction of the scheme commenced in 2019, with the first two phases now substantially complete. The construction contract was awarded for the final phase, Phase 3 - Togher Main works in summer 2021 with the scheme now at construction. The total project budget for the scheme is €28m, which will protect 231 properties. The current expenditure on the scheme is €12.9m.

The flood relief scheme will be funded from within the allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi-annual capital allocation.

Glashaboy

The Glashaboy River Flood Relief Scheme at Glanmire / Sallybrook, Cork is being progressed by Cork City Council. This scheme was confirmed on 18^thJanuary 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The twelve-week period for judicial review expired on 12^thApril 2021 without receipt of any objections. The procurement to appoint the civil works contractor for this scheme is being progressed. I am advised by Cork City Council, as the contracting authority for this flood relief scheme, that it expects to invite tenders for this civil work contract within the coming weeks. The scheme will provide protection to 103 properties with an estimated total project of €13.9m. The current expenditure on the scheme is €2.7m.

The flood relief scheme is being funded from the Government’s €1 billion investment for flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan 2018-2027, as part of Project Ireland 2040. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi-annual capital allocation.