Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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392. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to a Parliamentary Question of 5 February, (details supplied), when he will meet with and provide an update to local residents to expedite this vital scheme. [17265/25]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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393. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware that over seven years since the devastating floods at Burnfoot, County Donegal in August 2017 planning permission has still not been secured for flood defences at the village, even though many families remain displaced from their homes at Páirc an Ghrianáin; and if he will meet a delegation of concerned local residents to be updated on their plight and to make every effort to expedite this vital scheme. [17282/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.

I am very aware of the devastation that flooding causes to people and the Burnfoot community during floods in 2013, 2015 and more recently in 2017. The design and planning consent for the proposed Burnfoot Flood Relief Scheme is currently being actively progressed by the engineering and environmental consultants, appointed by Donegal County Council.

The scheme's steering group incorporating the appointed consultants, Donegal County Council and OPW have now identified a preferred option for the scheme and it is programmed to be submitted for planning consent in the coming months.

The planning consent is being informed by the ongoing liaison with affected landowners, involving a CPO process. It is envisaged this will progress the scheme more expediently and efficiently through the planning consent process and through construction, if planning consent is granted.

Construction of the scheme, subject to planning consent, is projected to take approximately eighteen months. Quarterly updates on the progress of the Burnfoot Flood Relief Scheme are provided to elected members of the Inishowen Municipal District by the Flood Relief Scheme Unit of Donegal County Council.

Every effort is being made by all parties to expedite the process and ensure the scheme is in place as soon as is practically possible. It is currently envisaged that the scheme following its construction will provide protection from flood risk for all properties in both Líos Na Greíne and Páirc An Grianán.

I will be delighted to meet and discuss with the local community and Donegal County Council, the works to manage the flood risk in Burnfoot.