Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2024
235. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery 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]
View answerThe 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.
