Minister Kieran O’Donnell welcomes confirmation for the Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme

Kieran O’Donnell T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), is pleased to announce receipt of confirmation from Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, Mr. Paschal Donohoe T.D. that allows works to start on the River Deel (Crossmolina) Flood Relief Scheme.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’Donnell, T.D. said

"The effects of flooding are devastating and can be long-lasting for communities and Crossmolina is no exception, having suffered serious flooding in the past.” The Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme has been greatly informed by the local community and includes a new flood overflow channel with new bridge and road re alignment, upstream of the town to Lough Conn.

The Minister said

“I am delighted that this Confirmation will enable my Office to directly progress this major scheme of works in Crossmolina. Respecting the statutory process my Office is now starting to implement its plans to construct this scheme and will mobilise to the site in the next three months. The works will take some four years to complete and will afford protection to some 73 residential and 43 non-residential properties from the 1 in 100-year flood event”

Minister O’ Donnell went on to say that

“Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme is part of the Government’s strategy under Project Ireland 2040 to make Ireland a better country for all and to build a more resilient and sustainable future. The scheme, which has an approved project budget of €14.6m, has been funded through the Government’s 2030 National Development Plan with €1.3 billion allocated for flood relief measures, including from the impacts of climate change through future-proofed, adaptable flood relief schemes”.

In addition to this investment in Crossmolina, Minister O’Donnell highlighted

“the OPW is committed to the delivery of flood relief work across Co. Mayo and that the OPW has committed funding of some €55 million for the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme, and has invested approximately €4 million in the county through the OPW’s Minor Works and Coastal Protection Scheme and funding for a scheme in Westport.”

The details of the Ministerial confirmation order will soon be available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/f1fe8-environmental-assessment/

For more information or to arrange an interview opportunity with an OPW spokesperson, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie

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Notes: Breakdown of Funding of FRSs in Co. Mayo

• Major Flood Relief Schemes Underway

• Crossmolina FRS : currently has an approved Total Project Budget of €14.6m, with 116 properties to be protected.

• Ballina FRS : currently has an approved Total Project Budget of €55m, with 297 properties to be protected.

• Total Project Budget for major FRSs across Mayo is currently approx. €70m, with 413 properties to be protected.

• Flood Relief Schemes Competed:

•Cois Abhainn FRS, Westport. Total Project Budget of circa €2m.

• Minor Works:

• Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €2.3 million to county Mayo for some 33 projects.

• Confirmation for Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme

• In accordance with the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, the OPW submitted Confirmation application to the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

• The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform can confirm a Scheme in accordance with Section 7 of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.