Crossmolina flood relief scheme
Deputy Dillon urged immediate progress on the Crossmolina flood relief scheme, saying final approval was imminent and construction should begin. The Minister of State confirmed the project had advanced and said both he and the Minister hoped to resolve it soon.
I raise the issue of the Crossmolina flood relief scheme. I note that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy McGrath, and the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, are in the Chamber. The people of Crossmolina need progress on this scheme as we enter the winter months. I understand final approval is due to be decided on within days. We need to get the ball rolling on the construction phase. This is a €13.5 million project that will provide protection to 116 properties, which have been repeatedly subjected to flooding, putting personal safety and livelihoods at risk. It was great to invite the Minister of State to Crossmolina in May to see first-hand the importance of this project going ahead. Dozens of homes and businesses in Crossmolina were hit by flooding in December 2015, which resulted in millions of euro worth of damage, with many homes and businesses now struggling to obtain flood insurance. The Crossmolina community has been waiting patiently following initial delays because of design and environmental challenges. I hope this will change in the coming days.
Comment on this
I understand the Minister of State is in a position to give a more detailed answer to this matter.
Comment on this
The Deputy will be aware from my visit to Crossmolina that this issue has been progressed by both the OPW and Mayo County Council. He is correct that it is awaiting final approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Minister, Deputy McGrath, and I both hope this issue can be resolved in the not-too-distant future. There is a lot of talk about climate change; this is a climate change mitigation measure for the people of Crossmolina and the wider community. It is one of a number of projects the OPW is trying to conclude and we are anxious to get it concluded. The Minister and I are both anxious to get it over the line as quickly as possible and finally to bring good news to a community that has been ravaged for too long by the scourge of flooding in that part of County Mayo.