Written answers
Thursday, 2 May 2024
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Flood Relief Schemes
David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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133. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 23 April 2024, to list the County Cork areas included under tranche 1 of the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM); the criteria for inclusion in tranche 1 of the programme when launched in 2018; the reason Mogeely, County Cork was not included in tranche 1 of the CFRAM at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19976/24]
Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management or CFRAM Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the state, was completed by the OPW in 2018. The output from this study was the Flood Risk Management Plans that are providing the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing 150 flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.
Since 2018, the OPW has trebled the number of schemes, to some 100, in the pipeline being designed and at construction. Prioritisation of these has maximised local authority and OPW capacity and has also maximised the return to the state. So, while the State has commenced 60% of projects in the pipeline, it has work complete or underway to protect 80% of at risk properties.
It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by these Plans simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes.
The following schemes are in Tranche 1 for County Cork. Nine schemes are completed with a further ten underway:
| Bandon | Completed |
|---|---|
| Clonakilty | Completed |
| Douglas (including Togher Culvert) | Completed |
| Dunmanway | Completed |
| Fermoy North | Completed |
| Fermoy South | Completed |
| Mallow North | Completed |
| Mallow South | Completed |
| Skibbereen | Completed |
| Macroom | Scoping Stage |
| Carrigaline | Scoping Stage |
| Ballinhassig | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
| Ballymakeera / Ballyvourney | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
| Bantry | Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
| Bride River (Blackpool) | Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation |
| Lower Lee (Cork City) | Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation |
| Midleton | Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation |
| Morrison’s Island | Stage III: Detailed Design |
| Glashaboy (Glanmire / Sallybrook) | Stage IV: Implementation / Construction |
Mogeely was not designated as an Area of Further Assessment in the CFRAM programme and flood risk in the village was therefore not assessed during the study. However, Cork County Council plans to include Mogeely in the flood relief scheme for Castlemartyr. The flood relief scheme for Castlemartyr, is not in the first tranche of schemes being progressed. The Government is committed to funding this scheme as part of the €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.
The OPW strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum of delay and currently provides funding for five full-time engineering staff in Cork County Council. The OPW are currently in discussions with Cork County Council to fund additional engineering and administrative staff for the purpose of delivering flood relief schemes across the County and expect to conclude these discussions shortly.
Pending the commencement of the design of a flood relief scheme, Cork County Council can introduce localised flood mitigation measures with funding from the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Under the 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. Since 2009, €5.7m has been approved for County Cork. The OPW understands that Cork County Council is currently preparing an application to the scheme for interim flood risk mitigation works at Gleann Fia and at other locations in Mogeely. I understand that Cork County Council are considering all possible solutions to mitigate against flooding in that area.
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