Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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431. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the development of the south Mayo flood relief scheme; if the OPW has concluded its consideration of the feasibility report carried out by Mayo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30765/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.opw.ie.

Mayo County Council carried out a Feasibility Report (funded by the Office of Public Works) in September of last year. This report estimated the cost of addressing the issues here at €6.4m with the majority of the benefits coming from the protection of road infrastructure, thus identifying a potential role for the Department of Transport. The capital cost is now well in excess of the €750,000 ceiling for Minor Flood Mitigation Works.

As the report indicated that the majority of the benefits from the proposed scheme would be to roads and access, Mayo County Council were advised in February this year to develop a joint proposal for the scheme with the Department of Transport and to subsequently meet with OPW to review the joint proposal.

On the 9^thJune 2022, the Minister met with a delegation of local stakeholders and representatives of Mayo County Council to discuss the flooding issues relating to the Neale. As part of this discussion, the Minister outlined that the protection of transport infrastructure, which is one of the main drivers of this proposed scheme, is not within the remit of the Office of Public Works. A multi-agency discussion, with stakeholders including the Department of Transport, Mayo County Council and the Office of Public Works, is now needed.

This will be convened by the Office of Public Works once the review of the feasibility report is complete.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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432. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the engagement that he has had with Coirib go Cósta and Galway City Council in 2022 in relation to incorporating a cycle track into the planned Galway city flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30766/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Galway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme, with technical advice and funding being provided by the Office of Public Works. The Steering Group for the Scheme meet on a monthly basis to discuss all aspects of the Scheme and my officials keep me apprised of progress on the scheme.

The primary 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 project has a preliminary total project budget estimate of €9.5m and when complete will protect 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 is currently in Stage one and the preliminary draft options for the scheme are programmed to be presented to the general public towards the end of this year. During the development of the scheme, ongoing consultation will take place with a view to maximise any mutual benefits that may emerge from the ongoing development of any advancing projects including the cycleway scheme.

This scheme represents a significant investment 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.