James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will expedite a scheme in County Cork by the OPW under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM) in County Cork (details supplied); if such area has been designated with Tranche 2 status under the scheme; if he will acknowledge that there is now an urgent necessity to bring forward these schemes owing to the events following Storm Babet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47773/23]

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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358. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will liaise with a relevant local authority, the Office of Public Works and other relevant stakeholders to carry out the necessary appropriate screening assessments with respect to a stream (details supplied) in County Cork which bursts it banks during Storm Babet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47774/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk – was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. The delivery of these Plans is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan 2021–2030 (NDP).

To date, 53 schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 12,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €1.9 billion.

The Plans identified an additional 150 flood relief schemes. The investment has allowed the OPW to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning, and construction to some 100 schemes. Developing these schemes is relying upon very specialised engineering resources available in the country.

The proposed project for Rathcormac is not in the first phase of projects to be progressed as part of the national programme of schemes. The proposed flood relief scheme at Rathcormac consists of the diversion of flood flows from the Kilbrien Stream via a culvert to the Shanowen River and will protect 31 properties when completed.

The OPW, working closely with its Local Authority, at all times strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum delay within the resources, including the specialised engineering resources, available to it.

Once consultants are appointed to progress this scheme, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the general public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the scheme.

Cork County Council have advised that it is currently assessing, with a view to implementation, if any interim temporary measures can be put in place that may provide some benefit in Rathcormac.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk – was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. The delivery of these Plans is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan 2021–2030 (NDP).

To date, 53 schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 12,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €1.9 billion.

The Plans identified an additional 150 flood relief schemes. The investment has allowed the OPW to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning, and construction to some 100 schemes. Developing these schemes is relying upon, very specialised engineering resources available in the country.

The OPW in partnership with Cork County Council are progressing a flood relief scheme to protect a number of residential properties in Ballinhassig, which have suffered flooding from the Owenabue River. A tender competition for a Consultancy Contract to provide engineering and environmental services to progress the Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme was first issued in late 2022. Tenders were received in Q1 2023. Following tender assessment, and discussions between Cork County Council and the OPW, as there was no tender submission which offered a value for money proposal, it was agreed that it was not possible to appoint a consultant for the project at that time. Cork County Council then worked in partnership with the OPW to adjust the requirements for the Consultancy Contract, in an effort to find a solution to provide professional services to deliver the Contract. The Consultancy Contract was retendered in Q3 2023, and it is planned to appoint a Consultant by the end of November 2023.

Cork County Council working in partnership with the OPW, with the assistance of the Consultant appointed, will work together to progress the scheme as expediently as possible.