Recent floods crisis in Kildare raised in Seanad

A Fianna Fáil senator has raised the issue of flooding in Co Kildare, telling the Seanad that no fewer than four estates in Newbridge were affected during the recent floods.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin raised the matter during 'Commencement Matters' in the Seanad this week, telling Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran she wished to speak specifically about Newbridge.

According to Senator O'Loughlin, four estates in Newbridge were affected by the recent floods, namely, Raymond's Court, Roseberry Court, College Grove and Riverside Park.

Also affected, the senator pointed out, was the Liffey Linear Park, a much used amenity in the area.

Senator O'Loughlin said she wished to commend the work of the new area engineer in Newbridge, Mr. Carthac de Brí, who was “absolutely excellent” in the crisis.

“In terms of the work that needs to be done by the Department, some work has already started on a number of schemes in Kildare”, she pointed out.

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Senator O'Loughlin said that, “to be fair”, she wished to thank the ESB and its personnel “who were at the end of the phone line” any time she contacted them during the flood period.

A number of warnings were issued by the ESB about limited reservoir storage capacity during sustained rainfall, she said, which could lead to increased downstream flood risk to both Newbridge and Clane if water had to be released.

The Fianna Fáil senator highlighted that Newbridge was formally identified as being at risk of river flooding in national plans going back as far as 2018, “so in that context, the planned works should be scheduled in the more immediate term.”

“Given the way climate change trends are going, there is also a need for improved monitoring. A number of councillors, including Councillor Robert Power and the mayor of Newbridge, Councillor Carmel Kelly, have called for electronic water level monitoring stations to be installed in Newbridge and Clane. The flood works are at development stage but are not yet at the construction phase.

“When will we get a confirmed date for construction to commence?”

Responding, the Minister of State confirmed that the OPW has completed four flood relief schemes throughout Kildare which protect 110 properties against the risk of flooding.

A further two flood relief schemes in Athy and Naas are at development and preliminary design stage, the Minister of State stated.

“The Morell river flood management scheme is being progressed towards substantial completion. A further scheme in Leixlip to protect 60 properties is being led and progressed by the local authority, with funding provided by the OPW. Upon completion, these four schemes will give protection to 670 properties”, he said.

Recently, the Minister of State pointed out, he announced an increase in funding supports to be made available to local authorities under the minor flood scheme, including an increase in the upper minor works threshold from €750,000 to €2 million.

Details of these revisions to the scheme will be made available to local authorities shortly, he said. He stated that since 2009 the OPW has approved funding under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme of approximately €1.8 million to Kildare for seven projects.

Acknowledging the Minister of State's contribution, Senator O'Loughlin said she was nevertheless “very clear” she was seeking a timeline for Newbridge.

“Interim and short-term measures play into the long-term solution.”, Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran responded.

“I appeal to the Senator again to go back to the local authorities, where interim works can be carried out to mitigate against flooding, particularly in the context of what we have seen with climate change and the areas the Senator mentioned. I appeal to her to go to the local authorities.”

The Minister of State told Senator O'Loughlin that “the long-term scheme, particularly the scheme the Senator is talking about”, is “down the track.”

“It will not happen today or tomorrow”, he said.

“That scheme is made available to the local authorities. The change I have made to that scheme in going from €750,000 to €2 million is significant and that is for the local authorities.

I want to praise, as the Senator rightly said, the engineer and the local authorities. I have been working closely with every local authority, including Kildare.

“I met some of the team recently. It is not that I have not been aware of the issues there; I am quite clear on them. As regards the measures the Senator talked about, they will be looked at by me and Kildare County Council in the short term.”