Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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93. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood defences in the Spanish Arch and docks area of Galway city; if a public consultation will be undertaken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20510/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) for the Corrib River Basin, launched in 2018, included a recommendation for a flood relief scheme for Galway City, which was one of 118 projects identified nationwide from the National Flood Risk Management Plans. The Plan proposed to protect approximately 940 properties from flooding with a preliminary cost estimate in the region of €10m. Following discussions between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Galway City Council, agreement was reached that the City Council would lead the development of the scheme with technical advice and funding being provided by OPW.

Following a tender process undertaken by the City Council, consultants were appointed in November, 2020, to review and build on the initial proposals in the FRMP. Public consultation will be to the forefront during the development of options that will eventually lead to a preferred scheme to be brought though the Planning process. It is intended to hold the first Public Consultation Day before the end of May, 2021. This event will be widely advertised and is likely to be held online due to current Covid 19 restrictions.

A project website will go live in advance of this Public Consultation Day, which will continue to provide up-to-date information on the project as it moves forward through its development. There will, of course, be several such public engagement events throughout the course of the project, both with the statutory and non-statutory stakeholders and the general public before the final design is chosen in order to keep those living, working and visiting the city fully informed of developments.