Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
494. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the current status of works on the weir at Ballincollig Regional Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38785/26]
View answerThe Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is the largest flood relief scheme in the state. It encompasses an area from Inniscarra Hydroelectric plant to the Port of Cork, some 16 kilometres away. The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is expected to provide protection against the 100-year fluvial flooding event from the River Lee and the 200-year tidal flooding event for 2,100 properties, including 900 residential and 1,200 commercial.
Ballincollig Weir is on the River Lee and is adjacent to the Regional Park in Ballincollig. The weir has been in disrepair for many years before a breach occurred in December 2014, which left the weir in poor condition. While there are no hydraulic benefits to the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme from the Ballincollig Weir, the OPW has committed to assessing the feasibility of repairing Ballincollig Weir and incorporating the repair works into the construction contract and budget for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, as appropriate.
The OPW commissioned the consultants for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme to undertake a preliminary feasibility assessment and constraints study for any viable reinstatement of the Ballincollig Weir. A draft report has been produced. The OPW and the Council, have recently discussed the completion of this report. A meeting between the Council, the OPW and the consultants is being scheduled over the coming weeks to identify the most efficient means of completing the report.
