Minister says further assessment required on flood-hit north Kildare area

Further assessment on the flood risk at the Hazelhatch area of Celbridge is due to be carried out after Minister Kevin Boxer Moran answered questions on the issue.

The Minister was responding to a question posed by Kildare North Labour representative Emmet Stagg, who asked what details were revealed during the Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme. The Plans have identified the need for some further study of the area before being able to identify any feasible option to manage the existing flood risk.

The Minister further advised Mr Stagg that until recently it was understood that the more frequent flooding experienced in the area was due to culvert blockages at Willow Dale and Willow Avenue in Primrose Gate. Consultants were engaged by Kildare County Council to carry out a Hydraulic Study to model flow and blockage scenario in the area. This study highlighted the need for a re-assessment of the local hydrology and also revealed that an investigation of the operation of the local drainage network would also be necessary.

The Minister concluded by advising Mr Stagg that the OPW and KCC are currently scoping a single study to provide more information on the local hydrology and the operation of the local drainage network.

Commenting on the Minister's response Mr Stagg stated; "Funding will be available for a Flood Relief Scheme in the Hazelhatch area but we must first identify the cause of the flooding. Ultimately the studies will identify viable structural and non-structural measures to manage flooding in the area which in turn will lead to the carrying out of a flood alleviation scheme for the area."