Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

238. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the measures that are being taken to prevent flooding along the river Shannon, in particular for the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5323/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are 13 completed schemes in the Shannon River Basin District (RBD) which are providing protection to over 2,600 properties. There are a further 24 schemes currently being progressed in the Shannon RBD and these include two schemes, Athlone and Springfield which are currently at construction and expected to reach substantial completion in 2023.  On completion, these schemes will provide protection to over 570 properties.

The Springfield/Clonlara (Co. Clare) flood defence scheme is being progressed by Clare County Council, with funding and technical advice being provided as appropriate from the Office of Public Works (OPW). In addition to the OPW funding the costs of the works, the majority of the construction works is being undertaken by the OPW via direct labour. The flood relief scheme involves the construction of a flood protection embankment, land raising, penstock/sluice, pump station and associated works at the townlands of Springfield, Cappavilla North, Cottage and Illaunyregan, Clonlara, Co Clare. The flood defence embankment is in place to protect Springfield/Clonlara from inundations from the River Shannon. A temporary pumping arrangement is in place this winter to provide pumping capacity until delivery and installation of the final scheme pumps in early 2023.

In Athlone, Co. Westmeath, the OPW and Westmeath County Council (WCC) are working together to advance flood relief works for the town with WCC as the Contracting Authority and the OPW funding the costs of the works, in addition to undertaking the construction works with its own workforce.  It is anticipated that the construction works for the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme will be completed in late 2023.

Construction is anticipated to commence for the Kings Island flood Relief Scheme in Q3 2023. It is estimated that the full scheme will protect approximately 450 residential and 23 commercial properties.

The Deputy may be aware that the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group (the Group) was established by the Government in early 2016.  The Group was established, at that time, following severe flooding arising from exceptional weather conditions between December 2015 and January 2016.

The Group’s purpose is to provide a forum where all statutory organisations with roles and responsibilities that involve the River Shannon catchment can further monitor and co-ordinate their respective work programmes to assist with managing flood risk along the Shannon catchment.

The next meeting of the Group is due to take place on 30th  March at which the Group will discuss a range of issues relating to work underway to assist with flood risk management along the River Shannon, including:

- the approval of the Group’s work programme for 2023 which demonstrates the extensive range of planned activities by the members of the Group, which may help to manage flood risk along the River Shannon,

- a project for the removal of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ through the Callows region between Athlone and Meelick weir, 

- maintenance activities that can enhance the conveyance capacity and halt the deterioration of the channel,

- trialling the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen to help to help mitigate potential flood risk,

- work to identify possible measures to manage vegetation which has built up downstream of the University of Limerick and the Mulkear River.