Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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326. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the up-to-date position regarding the Blackpool flood relief scheme, in view of the fact that there was major flooding over 12 years ago, that it was agreed that a flood relief programme would be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7254/25]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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327. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has now received an up-to-date environmental impact study in respect of the Blackpool flood relief scheme; the timeframe when the public consultation will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7255/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.

The CFRAM Programme outputs, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans, provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities nationally. The delivery of these Plans is supported by government investment of €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan to 2030. To date, 55 flood relief schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 13,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion.

The Bride River Flood Relief Scheme (Blackpool FRS) was initiated in 2013 following major flooding that occurred in 2012, and is expected to provide protection from the Bride River for some 290 residential and commercial properties. The proposed scheme includes conveyance improvements, flood defence embankments, walls and pumping stations, and has an estimated budget of circa €20.5 million.

The scheme design, in 2018, was submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation for statutory confirmation under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 as amended; and Ministerial confirmation was granted in 2021. In June 2021, this decision was challenged by a community group and was granted leave to apply for a Judicial Review of the decision. The Minister agreed to consent to an order reverting the evaluation of the Blackpool FRS back for further public consultation, and this resulted in further information being requested from the OPW in support of the request for consent under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945.

The OPW provided a response to this request in October 2022. In November 2023, a further request was made to the OPW to provide supplementary environmental information that required some additional surveys. In line with seasonal restrictions, these surveys were conducted throughout 2024. The OPW has received and is currently reviewing a draft update to the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for submission to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. The OPW expects to provide the Minister with this supplementary information in the coming weeks.