Written answers

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Risk Management

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the up-to-date position on advancing flood defence at Baile Mhuirne and Baile Mhic Íre, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11395/22]

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork County Council are engaging proactively to progress a preferred option for a viable flood relief scheme for Baile Mhuirne/Baile Mhic Íre that will protect 90 properties from significant risk from flooding.

The OPW is aware of the ‘high’ water quality status of the respective water body in the area around Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera. The Project Team is currently assessing the potential impact of any proposed flood relief measures in that respect, and engaging with the Project’s Environmental Consultants to ensure that suitable mitigation requirements are implemented, and appropriate processes to comply with statutory provisions are followed.

When these stages are successfully completed and, provided the proposals are broadly accepted at Public Exhibition by the public and the stakeholders, the scheme will proceed to detailed design stage and formal Confirmation by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, following which construction can commence.

The Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney Flood Relief Scheme is being funded from €1.3 billion for flood risk management allocated by the Government under the National Development Plan to 2030. 

In the interim, Cork County Council has been approved funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This includes approval of €10,000 in February 2012 for the removal of overhanging growth and other obstacles to the Sullane River 3.4 miles from Ballyvourney bridge. An additional €187,248 was approved in October 2018 for the provision of temporary flood defence measures, including sand bag defence structure, increasing the ground level with ramps and installation of 2 non return valves.  These interim works had been delayed due to Part 8 Planning, which has now been awarded. Cork County Council is to prepare tender documentation in Q1 2022 to procure a consultant for detailed design.

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