Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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97. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the selection of a contractor for the Glashaboy flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48152/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Glashaboy River Flood Relief Scheme at Glanmire / Sallybrook, Cork is being progressed by Cork City Council. The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork City Council are engaging proactively to progress the flood relief scheme for Glanmire.

The Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme was confirmed in January 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995. The scheme is being funded from the €1.3 billion in flood relief measures under the National Development Plan to 2030, and as part of Project Ireland 2040. Provision for the total project budget for this scheme is included in the Office of Public Works multi annual capital allocation.

The Glashaboy River Flood Relief Scheme will protect 103 properties from a significant risk of flooding.

The tender documentation for the procurement and appointment of a contractor was issued in September 2021 with a return date of 24^thJanuary 2022. Unfortunately, Cork City Council was not in a position to appoint a Contractor for the works on foot of this procurement process. However, Cork City Council is proceeding towards issuing updated Tender Documents in Q4 2022 and is working with key project partners to minimise the overall delay in the completion of these works. I hope to visit Cork shortly and will be discussing this matter with the Council.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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98. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the Office of Public Works projects in County Mayo currently in progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48344/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I will outline those flood projects currently in progress by the Office of Public Works.

On 22 September, I was delighted to unveil a plaque inCarrowhollymarking the substantial completion of the Carrowholly Flood Relief scheme. This scheme is protecting 14 properties at a cost of €984,000. The scheme is one of some 40 schemes and €2.3 million approved investment in County Mayo by the OPW, since 2009 under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

I also recently (22 September) marked the start of construction of a flood relief scheme at the Cois Abhainn and Ashwood Estates in Westport. The approved scheme, when complete in Spring 2023, will protect 15 properties at an estimated budget of €1.181 million.

The OPW has submitted documentation to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for Ministerial Confirmation for a flood relief scheme in Crossmolina. The scheme, when completed, is expected to provide protection to 116 properties from the River Deel. The total budget for the scheme is currently estimated at €14.6 million with a construction duration of 4 years.

In Ballina, an emerging preferred option for a flood relief scheme has been identified. The recommended measures comprise hard defences, improving existing culvert capacities and also utilising upstream flood water storage facilities. An application for Part 10 Planning Approval is expected to be lodged with An Bord Pleanála in Q1 of 2023. The proposed scheme is expected to provide protection for 175 properties with a construction period of 2 years.

A Feasibility Study was carried out in connection with Flood Relief for the Neale/South Mayo area in 2021. The report estimateda cost of works at €6.4m. In June of this year, I met with Deputy Ring and a delegation of the local community to discuss how a viable scheme might be identified and progressed. Mayo County Council has finalised and submitted to the OPW, for review, a feasibility study report. Having finalised its review the OPW will convene a meeting with Mayo County Council and the Department of Transport to discuss possible funding options for a viable scheme for this area, given the majority of benefits are to roads and road access.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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99. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood relief scheme in Bantry, County Cork. [46990/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Flood Risk Management Plans launched in May 2018 included a recommendation to progress the design, planning and construction of a flood relief scheme for Bantry. A Steering Group, comprising of representatives from the Office of Public Works and Cork County Council, is in place to progress this Flood Relief Scheme protecting some 198 properties.

In February 2022 I visited Bantry to announce the appointment of J.B. Barry and Partners Ltd., in joint venture with JBA Consulting Ltd., by Cork County Council as engineering and environmental consultants to carry out the design of a viable scheme for the town. The scheme development and design is progressing with environmental surveys and hydrological modelling continuing in the area. Tenders for site investigations have been received and once contractors are appointed these investigations will commence.

Consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the scheme. A project website is available at ‘www.bantryfrs.ie’. A number of Public Participation Days will be held throughout the delivery stages of the project, the first of which was held on 18th May 2022, with the second due to take place in Q2 2023.

In tandem with progressing this scheme, Cork County Council are to progress the repair and re-construction of a culvert on Main Street, Bantry with a Section 50 application currently with the OPW for approval. This culvert has been identified as a significant element contributing to flooding on Main Street, New Street and north and south of Wolfe Tone Square in recent months. The OPW and Cork County Council are liaising on the integration of these works with the flood relief scheme for the town.

Under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme my office approved a total of €183,917 in funding to Cork County Council for interim works to mitigate flooding in Bantry. The installation of non return valves on gullies and the storm pipe non return valves have been completed. There has also been sandbags purchased for deployment in case of forecasted extreme weather events.

Separately, Cork County Council are working on developing an Individual Property Protection Scheme for Bantry. Expressions of interest for the scheme were requested, with positive responses received. The next steps will be to complete surveys and for agreements to be signed with interested property owners prior to making an application for further funding under the OPW Minor Works scheme.