Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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237. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding funding allocated to Cork City Council for the reinstatement of the weirs at Ballincollig Regional Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29739/24]

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 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.

The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is the largest flood relief scheme in the state. It encompasses an area from Inniscarra Hydroelectric plant to the Port of Cork, some 16 kilometres away. The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is expected to provide protection against the 100-year fluvial flooding event from the River Lee and the 200-year tidal flooding event for 2,100 properties, 900 residential and 1,200 commercial, at an estimated cost of over €200 million.

While there are no hydraulic benefits to the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme from the Ballincollig weir, the OPW has committed to assessing the feasibility of repairing Ballincollig Weir and incorporating the repair works into the construction contract and budget for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, if appropriate.

The OPW commissioned the consultants for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme to undertake a preliminary feasibility assessment and constraints study for the reinstatement of Ballincollig Weir and this was produced in early May 2024 and was subsequently forwarded to Cork City Council for consideration, as the Weir is in the ownership of Cork City Council, following the boundary change between Cork County and Cork City in June 2019.

The consultants have proposed three options to consider. Each option has planning, structural, fisheries and cultural heritage considerations that must be accommodated. Options that have cultural and heritage benefits, also have negative fisheries implications. There is also a different cost estimated for each of the three options, and this will require further assessment to inform the preferred feasible option and the appropriate planning consent route.

The OPW is committed to continued collaboration with Cork City Council on this matter.