Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

78. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the application from the residents of Elm Park, Buncrana to be relocated from the flood plain alongside the Crana river and compensated to do so under the defective concrete block grant scheme; if he will work with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to find a solution that can give the residents peace of mind, fair compensation, and potentially saving the State a substantial amount of money. [6749/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A flood relief scheme has begun for the Buncrana-Luddan area. Nine properties at Elm Park are included in the scheme's overall area that is to protect thirty two properties at risk from flooding. The scheme is currently at Stage I Scheme Development and Preliminary Design stage which is currently expected to be completed in November 2025, and construction of the scheme is due to begin in 2027.

Donegal County Council is leading the scheme delivery and has been in correspondence with the residents of Elm Park on a regular basis having held two in-person meetings in February and May of 2024 to give updates, inform residents and to listen to their feedback. The OPW is aware that the nine properties at flood risk in Elm Park are also impacted by defective concrete blocks.

Donegal County Council and the OPW are aware that all Elm Park Residents have given clear expression of their preference, in their circumstances, to be relocated and to have the houses demolished. The Buncrana-Luddan Flood Relief Scheme is one of 100 flood relief schemes at design, planning and construction across the country, funded through €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan. The OPW, as part of the design options for flood risk management, does not currently have in place a scheme for relocating homes at risk of flooding.

The legislation underpinning the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Defective Concrete Blocks Enhanced Scheme does not allow for a homeowner to be relocated; and one of the requirements is that the property be rebuilt in the same building footprint.

The OPW has met with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss the respective schemes for the residents of Elm Park.

To progress these discussions Donegal County Council have recommended that these homeowners apply for the Defective Concrete Blocks Enhanced Scheme so that the level of redress they would qualify for under that scheme can be determined. The OPW understands that all those homeowners who can make an application under this scheme have done so.

Once that information is available, the OPW and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has agreed to re-engage with Donegal County Council on this matter in order to assess an appropriate response or responses.