merrion street

Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), was in Skibbereen, Co. Cork today to launch the public exhibition stage of the Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme.

Speaking in Skibbereen Town Council offices this morning, Minister Hayes said: “Skibbereen has a long history of flooding and I am pleased to be able to announce that this scheme, when completed, will provide two hundred year flood event protection to approximately 179 homes and 131 commercial properties and will provide a solution to the ongoing flooding concerns for the people of Skibbereen.”

“The scheme I’m launching here today is a defended scheme, which mainly involves new walls, new earthen embankments, new culverts, new surface water pumping stations and some minor regrading of the channel.” the Minister said.

The Minister concluded: “This major capital investment commitment demonstrates yet again this Government’s and OPW’s commitment to a sustained capital programme to improve the level of flood risk protection for homes, businesses and infrastructure as we all recognise the serious personal and economic impact of flooding.”