Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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240. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood relief scheme in Clifden, County Galway; the public consultation that has taken place or is planned in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55940/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) for the Erriff - Clew Bay - Blacksod – Broadhaven river basin launched in 2018 includes a recommendation to progress a flood relief scheme for Clifden to alleviate fluvial flooding from the Owenglin River.

In March 2021, Galway Co. Council, acting as the Contracting Authority for the project, invited tenders for the appointment of a consultant to progress the scheme, which included requirements for the environmental assessments associated with a flood relief scheme of this nature.

I am advised by Galway County Council that a consultant was appointed in November 2021 and that the commencement meeting has taken place, with discussions ongoing with respect to the date of the first Public Consultation Day, which will be advertised locally in due course.

OPW provides funding to Galway County Council for a Project Engineer to enable the Council to support the development of the Flood Relief scheme in Clifden, and to progress flood relief schemes in Ballinasloe and, in time, Portumna, and those schemes will be funded from within the allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan 2021-2030. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi-annual capital allocation.