Written answers

Wednesday, 18 September 2024

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Relief Schemes

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

234. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the flood relief works at Holycross, County Tipperary are completed; if not, when these works will be completed; and the estimated costs of those works. [36804/24]

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

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s National Flood Policy, which includes the development of a planned programme of feasible works for flood relief schemes.

In 2018, to facilitate the development of a national programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study - the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Suir CFRAM Study Area included Holycross as an Area for Further Assessment (AFA), and it was subsequently agreed that Tipperary County Council as the Lead Authority would progress Holycross as a flood relief scheme, with the relevant funding to be provided by the OPW through the Government’s €1.3 billion for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.

In the event that such flood relief works are considered viable, they typically go through a five stage process, namely:

  • Stage 1: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
  • Stage 2: Planning Approval
  • Stage 3: Detailed Design
  • Stage 4: Implementation/Construction
  • Stage 5: Handover
Tipperary County Council have advised the OPW that the scheme is currently at Stage 1 and this is due for completion in Q4 2024. The proposed works in and around Holycross are likely to include flood defence embankments, flood gates, floodwalls, river channel capacity improvements, local drainage improvements and upgrades to culverts. The estimated costs for the Holycross Flood Relief Scheme are currently in the region of €300,000 and the works are expected to reach substantial completion in Q4 2027.

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

235. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the flood relief works at Knocklofty, County Tipperary are completed; if not, when these works will be completed; and the estimated cost of those works. [36805/24]

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

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s National Flood Policy, which includes the development of a planned programme of feasible works for flood relief schemes.

In 2018, to facilitate the development of a national programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study - the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Suir CFRAM Study Area included Knocklofty as an Area for Further Assessment (AFA), and it was subsequently agreed that Tipperary County Council as the Lead Authority would progress Knocklofty as a flood relief scheme, with the relevant funding to be provided by the OPW through the Government’s €1.3 billion for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.

In the event that such flood relief works are considered viable, they typically go through a five stage process, namely:

  • Stage 1: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
  • Stage 2: Planning Approval
  • Stage 3: Detailed Design
  • Stage 4: Implementation/Construction
  • Stage 5: Handover
In Q2 2024, Tipperary County Council submitted an Options Report from its consultant to the OPW, which contained a preferred option for a flood relief scheme in Knocklofty, and a recommendation that the scheme proceed to Stage 2 planning. In July 2024, the OPW approved the preferred option in the Options Report for the Knocklofty Flood Relief Scheme. The preferred option includes a flood defence embankment, access ramp over flood defence embankment, improvements to existing stone walls, culverting of drains, storm water drainage and a pumping station.

The estimated Total Project Budget for the scheme is currently €1.1m, and subject to receiving the relevant planning permissions, it is currently envisaged that the scheme will reach substantial completion in Q2 2027.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.