Written answers

Thursday, 20 January 2022

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Risk Management

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an overview of the OPW drainage and flood relief programme for County Clare in 2022. [2433/22]

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Thank You, Deputy Crowe, for your question in relation to the upcoming programme of works in Clare. Your query covers a range of projects from minor works to large capital programmes and drainage maintenance. The OPW have invested heavily in Flood Relief projects in County Clare over the last number of years and continue to do so with a cumulative value for active schemes in excess of 70 million euro.

In respect of drainage maintenance: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has a statutory duty for the maintenance of completed arterial drainage schemes and certain completed flood relief schemes under the 1945 and 1995 Arterial Drainage Acts. Some 2,100km of channel and some 135km of embankments are maintained annually. The OPW Annual Maintenance Programme for 2022 includes maintenance in County Clare on the Shannon Embankments (North) Schemes and the Creegh Scheme.

In respect of Capital Flood Relief Schemes: Currently there are five major schemes and two small schemes been progressed in County Clare.

Of the major schemes:

Ennis Lower

Ennis Lower Flood Relief Scheme is now substantially complete. The last of the works of this scheme at Bank Place in Ennis was completed in 2021. Apart from some minor snagging there are no works planned or required at this location for 2022.

Ennis south

Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme is substantially complete with only some small items to be completed. It is expected that this minor snagging and landscaping will be completed early 2022. Once this has concluded, Clare County Council will then be in a position to complete the remaining work on the Riverside walk.

Kilkee Flood Relief

The proposed Kilkee Flood Relief Scheme is currently at Stage 1: Scheme Development and Preliminary design. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in December 2019. Since this time the consultants have commissioned and completed most of the baseline surveys, including topographic, Site investigation and environmental and ecological surveys. The consultants are currently finalising the survey work and processing the data. The consultants are now focused on progressing the Initial Options Assessment for Kilkee. It is expected that the scheme will be submitted for Planning in early 2023.

Shannon Town & Airport Flood Relief Scheme

The proposed Shannon Flood Relief Scheme is currently atstage 1: Scheme Development and Preliminary design. Since the appointment of engineering and environmental consultants for the project in 2020 the group has been working to ensure that the development of the scheme is based on the most accurate and up to date information. To this end the consultants have been carrying out survey works such as Topographical Surveys, Ground Investigation and CCTV surveys. This survey work, along with Hydraulic Analysis, Environmental Assessment and scheme Analysis and Development, will continue throughout 2022.

Springfield Flood Relief Scheme

The Main works are currently suspended on the scheme over the winter period due to unfavourable weather and ground conditions. In the interim, Clare County Council have appointed Contractors to carry out ground water monitoring and two site visits have been carried out. Clare County Council will shortly appoint another contractor to carry out further geophysical surveys at the location to inform completion of the scheme. Subject to suitable weather and ground conditions, it is anticipated that the site will open this spring and works should largely be completed this year.

The two small schemes of Bunratty and Kilrush are currently been progressed.

Further analysis of the proposed Bunratty scheme is required. Clare County Council in cooperation with the OPW are progressing this element.

A consultant’s brief is currently being prepared for Kilrush with a view to appoint consultants in 2022.

Minor Works

The following is an update on the Minor works schemes either commencing, underway or recently completed in County Clare:

On the Cloughaninchy Flood Relief Project:

Clare County Council are finalising remaining land agreements. Subject to funding; Detailed Design and procurement of contractor for works is scheduled for 2022.

On the Milltown Malbay Flood Relief Project:

Negotiations between Clare County Council and a key landowner are ongoing. This element of the works will need to be concluded before the scheme can progress.

The Spanish Point Minor Coastal Protection Scheme is Substantially complete.

On the Thomond Villas Flood Relief Project:

Clare County council intend to submit to An Bord Pleanála for planning in 2022.

The Kilbaha Erosion Protection project Is at study finalisation.

On the Whitestrand Coastal Protection Scheme

The preliminary design has now been completed. Subject to funding, it is Clare County Council’s intention to submit for planning in 2022.

And finally, on the Quin Flood Relief Works:

Clare County Council hope tosubmit for Part 8 Planning imminently and commence construction of scheme this year.

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