Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

48. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an update on each ongoing and proposed flood relief scheme in County Donegal, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29477/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management or CFRAM Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the state, was completed by the Office of Public Works (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 flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. Fifteen projects were identified in County Donegal under the Flood Risk Management Plans in addition to Raphoe which was already underway at that time.

The 16 schemes identified for Donegal will protect at least 1,006 properties and businesses and the Government is committing some €115m for their design and completion. This funding is being made available from the €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.

Delivery of flood relief schemes is a complex and highly technical process which has five distinct stages which are as follows;

Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design

Stage II: Planning Process, Public Exhibition / Confirmation

Stage III: Detailed Design

Stage IV: Implementation/Construction

Stage V: Handover of Works

Of these 16 schemes for Donegal currently

• ten are being progressed with consultants appointed and steering groups in place overseeing their design at Stages 1 and 2, for nine of these schemes, with one of these schemes, Raphoe, submitted for planning consent in 2023,
• two schemes, Donegal town and Letterkenny, Donegal County Council has commenced a pilot for the data collection by Donegal County Council to inform appointment of consultant engineers. This pilot is being overseen by a National Steering Group, chaired by the OPW that includes representatives from Donegal County Council and is looking at delivery models for future schemes, nationally, and
• four schemes are to be implemented in the next tranche of schemes, Killybegs, Carndonagh, Dunfanaghy and Rathmullen. Commencing all flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans is constrained by the availability of the specialist engineering resources and skills required.