Progress report furnished on Crossmolina flooding relief plan
Mayo TD and Minister of State Dara Calleary has been furnished with an update on the proposed River Deel Relief Scheme in Crossmolina.
It came in a reply to correspondence sent to the Minister with Responsibility for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan
Minister Calleary explained: “I wrote to Minister O’Donovan on November 14 expressing concerns about the potential for flooding again this winter in Crossmolina.
"I specifically requested an update on the current status of the proposed scheme and the Office of Public Works’ immediate plans to ensure flow in the river this winter.
“Minister O’Donovan’s reply outlined that in September 2020, the OPW sought confirmation of the Scheme from the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
"In July 2023, following two rounds of public consultation, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform issued an additional Supplementary Information Request to the OPW regarding its application for confirmation of the Scheme.
"The Supplementary Information Request sought, inter-alia, updated ecological/environmental surveys and further information on the Water Framework Directive assessment for the Scheme.
"I can now confirm that on November 17 the OPW issued a report to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, which addressed the requirements of the Supplementary Information Request, and confirmed that the conclusions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, submitted as part of the confirmation documentation, still remain valid and unchanged.
“Essentially this means that confirmation of the scheme is now with the Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe and I will be exerting all the political pressure possible to get this project over the line and get machines on the ground for once and for all – it is unfair and totally unacceptable that the community of Crossmolina is left in this situation and I want it resolved now,” he said.
“With reference to the OPW’s immediate plans to ensure flow in the River Deel, I can confirm that the River Deel downstream of Crossmolina has been inspected and determined to be in good condition on September 25.
"Separately, the OPW has recently provided funding to Mayo County Council, through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, to implement flood relief measures including reinforcement of walls and provision of pump sumps, while also providing funding for flood gates,” confirmed Minister Calleary.