Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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62. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood defences in the Spanish Arch and docks area of Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45633/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that Flood defences in the Spanish Arch and docks area of Galway city are being developed as part of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme.

Galway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme for the city, with technical advice and funding being provided by the Office of Public Works. Following a tender process undertaken by the City Council, an engineering and environmental consultant was appointed in November 2020 to review and build on the initial proposals in the Flood Risk Management Plan, which were developed under the CFRAM Programme. The objective of the Coirib go Cósta Projectis to assess, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Galway city. The Coirib go Cósta - Galway City Flood Relief Scheme has a preliminary total project budget estimate of €9.5m and has the objective of protecting over 940 properties in the Long Walk, Spanish Arch, Eglinton Canal, Merchants Quay, Raven Terrace, Salthill and Claddagh areas of Galway City from tidal and river flooding.

The scheme has been broken into five distinct stages:

Stage 1 – Options assessment and scheme development. The options assessment and development stage is currently ongoing.

Stage 2 – Planning and Consent. This is when the preparation and submission of planning documentation to An Bord Pleanála will be undertaken, along with the completion of all required environmental assessments and consents.

Stage 3 – Detailed design and tender process. The detailed design of the preferred scheme will be completed in stage three, followed by the procurement of contractors for the construction of the scheme.

Stage 4 – Scheme construction. The construction stage of the scheme is estimated to take approximately two and a half years.

Stage 5 – Handover and completion. The handover and completion stage of the project (including defects period) marks the completion of the project and is estimated to be finalised in mid 2029.

The project is currently at Stage 1 where options development and initial scheme development takes place. Work to date on this stage has consisted of:

- Collection and review of available data relating to the scheme and study area. For example: historic flood data; CFRAM data; Irish Water data; and Galway City Council data.

- Additional data collection in the form of surveys. These surveys include: invasive species; threshold levels; a wave overtopping study; culverts and drainage; hydrometric gauges; and surveys of existing flood defences.

- The hydrological method statement is currently being finalised. This will form the basis for the hydrological design and hydraulic modelling required for the scheme.

- Significant work has also been undertaken on stakeholder and public engagement.

- A scheme-specific communications strategy has been developed to ensure best practice is implemented for stakeholder and public engagement throughout the project.

- The opening public engagement process has already been undertaken; beginning on 1^stJune and finishing on 7^thJuly 2021. This event was widely advertised and was held online due to current Covid 19 restrictions.

- Engagement with significant stakeholders has commenced in addition to the public engagement day – these include the Galway Harbour Authority, Irish Water, and NUIG. Building on this, a first collaborative workshop has been scheduled for the 28^thSeptember 2021 that will collectively meet with all stakeholders identified as having a high interest and high influence on the project.

Stakeholder engagement will continue throughout the project. The next non-statutory public engagement day will take place in Q3 2022 where a range of draft scheme options will be presented for consultation. Here, members of the public will have an opportunity to review all emerging options and provide feedback which will be addressed by the project team in moving towards developing the preferred scheme option.

A third non-statutory public engagement day is scheduled towards the end of Stage 1, prior to submission of the scheme for Planning, which will be used to present the emerging preferred scheme option. Again, a submissions period will be provided and members of the public will have an opportunity to put forward their opinions on the emerging preferred scheme prior to Planning. This feedback will be incorporated into developing the final scheme option.

Environmental assessments will be a very important element of this scheme in particular. Work towards the Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment will be undertaken by the consultants throughout the planning and design stages of the project and will also take into account information gathered during the consultation processes.

The environmental consultants will be responsible for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and Natura Impact Statement (as required).

The Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme is primarily focused on addressing the sustainable and effective management of flood risk but shall also ensure that the design of any measures, in particular structural measures, recognise the distinctive character of Galway city. The scheme will include creative landscape and architectural solutions, which, in addition to addressing flood risk management, will enhance the biodiversity, urban landscape and public realm amenity of the receiving environment, whilst integrating with other advancing projects.

This scheme represents a significant Investment Project for Galway City, which will be undertaken with all due consideration for regulatory, planning, environmental and social constraints, while achieving the goal of delivering a viable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Galway city.

The project has a website (www.coiribgocosta.ie/) that provides up to date information to those interested in the scheme’s progress.