Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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507. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has made him aware of consistent and severe flooding in an area of Raphoe (details supplied); if there are plans for flood relief works in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24083/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Donegal County Council (DCC), commissioned the Raphoe Flood Relief Scheme to address flooding in the town and consultants RPS Ireland Ltd were appointed in 2017 to identify appropriate flood risk alleviation measures and to prepare the detailed design, drawings and documents to facilitate the construction of this scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 as amended. This scheme was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for planning consent in May 2023.

A significant rainfall event occurred on 22nd July 2023. The property in question is built over an old stone culvert which collapsed during this flood event. Donegal County Council is responsible for this storm water culvert and repair of this culvert does not form part of the Raphoe Flood Relief Scheme. In 2024, the OPW assisted Donegal County Council in identifying a design solution for the failure of this storm water culvert in Raphoe. It is open to Donegal County Council to make an application under the OPW Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for the repairs to this culvert. To date no application from Donegal County Council has been received.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies up to €750,000 to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.

Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, technical social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio. The commencement and progression of any works for which funding is approved is a matter for each Local Authority concerned.