A report to reduce flood risk on the Lower Dodder from both tidal and fluvial events was completed in January 2007 by Dublin City Council with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). Following discussions with the Council, OPW agreed to undertake the works directly and these works commenced in September 2007 at Ringsend Bridge and moving upstream to Newbridge. The works have been undertaken on a phased basis with approximately €8.5M expended so far. Works are currently ongoing between New Bridge and Lansdowne Railway Bridge.

The following Programme, compiled by Dublin City Council, sets out the timeframe of the current works and the likely timeframe for future works.

PROGRAMME FOR DODDER WORKS

Marian College & Lansdowne Road

Construction works are currently being carried out by OPW  from Newbridge to Lansdowne Rail Bridge.

The key elements of these works are:

• Construction of a reinforced concrete flood defence wall
• Masonry claddinig to reinforced concrete wall
• Installation of flood gates
• Installation of railings to match previous phases of the Dodder Flood Defence Scheme

The works on the opposite bank on Lansdowne Road are currently at detailed design stage and will be constructed in 2012.

Emergency Works

Dublin City Council has identified the following key elements as emergency works arising from the recent flooding. Further discussion will be required between DCC and OPW in relation to the programming of the following list of works and possible inclusion under Minor Works Programme.

• Raising Licensed Vintners embankment
• Raising concrete wall upstream of Licensed Vintners
• Raising wall at Beatty’s cottages and
• Repairing river wall beside entrance to RDS at Anglesea Road
• Further emergency works may be identified when an assessment of the recent flood event            has been completed

Londonbridge / Newbridge

These works consist of raising the existing parapet walls to the design flood levels.

Further Phases

The Dodder Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment Management (CFRAM) Study, currently being undertaken, has identified a number of flood defence measures required between the Lansdowne railway bridge and Donnybrook. These outline proposals contained in the CFRAMS require detailed design and further environmental assessment.

Dublin City Council will appoint consultancy services for these Phases in the near future to carry out all site investigation, environmental requirements, and draft planning permissions by September 2012, at which point the Dodder CFRAMS can be adopted by the three relevant councils.

The Environmental Impact Statement for these phases of flood defence works is programmed to be completed by Q.1 of 2013 and submitted to An Bord Pleanala, if the Council decide to progress them through their normal planning process.

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D, and the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan TD today (8th November 2011) announced that the Government has agreed to set up a Humanitarian Assistance Scheme with an allocation of up to €10 million to provide means-tested financial support to people who have suffered damage to their homes as a result of the recent flooding.

The Government has also established a cross-Departmental/Agency Working Group, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to oversee the State’s collective response to those affected by the flooding.

The working Group* will identify any gaps that may exist within existing services to address the consequences of the flooding for individuals, families and communities.  If additional services are required, including humanitarian assistance, the Group will report to Government with proposals to address these issues.

Minister Burton said: “I have been to visit many of the families who have suffered from the flooding and I have seen first hand the damage to some people’s homes.’’

Minister Hogan said: “I welcome the establishment of this Group which will work in a speedy and focused way to ensure that those who require the assistance of the State following the severe flooding of 24 October get it.  It will build on the enormous work already done on the ground by Community Welfare Officers, the Irish Red Cross, Local Authorities and others.’’

Minister Burton said:  “The Government recognises the devastation suffered by many families arising from these floods.  Staff from the Department of Social Protection (former Community Welfare Officers) have already made house to house calls to individuals they have identified as being vulnerable at this difficult time. In addition, emergency clinics have been established in the worst affected areas to offer help to households. Payments are currently being made to families who need urgent financial assistance with basics such as food, clothing and bedding. This funding will continue to be disbursed to individuals and families as required.

The main details of the Humanitarian Assistance Fund are as follows:

• It will be administered on the ground by staff from the Department of Social Protection (former Community Welfare Officers),
• It will provide hardship alleviation assistance, as opposed to full compensation, to householders affected by the flooding.
• Damage to a person’s home and its basic contents, such as carpets, flooring, furniture, household appliances and bedding, will be the main criteria. Structural damage may also be considered.
• Eligibility will be subject to a means test.
• Assistance will not be given for losses which are covered by insurance.
• Commercial and business losses will not qualify for humanitarian assistance.
• Applications will be prioritised so that the most urgent ones can be dealt with very quickly.

“I am conscious that for some families it could be weeks if not months before the damage to their homes is fully apparent. I would like to reassure families that this humanitarian assistance scheme will be there for them in the months ahead,’’ Minister Burton concluded.

Flooding in Dublin South-East, Monday 9.15pm

Message just received from Dublin City Council:

Due to severe rainfall this evening the Major Emergency Plan for Dublin has been activated to deal with the flooding.

http://www.dublincity.ie/WATERWASTEENVIRONMENT/MAJOR_EMERGENCY_PLANNING/Pages/MajorEmergencyPlanning.aspx

Flooding in Dublin South East, Monday 8pm

Reports are coming in from various parts of the constituency about flooding on public roads and in houses and flats due to the continuing heavy downpour.

Out of hours and emergency numbers for Dublin City Council are currently not working. This matter is being looked in to. Council staff have been called out to deal with blocked gullies and drains. However problems are being experienced throughout the city.

The primary response service in this instance is Dublin Fire Brigade. Every unit is currently out on call dealing with individual cases of flooded homes as well as broken down cars and other flooding related issues. Extra services have been called in but the Fire Brigade can only deal with problems on a call by call basis. People who are experiencing flooding in their homes are asked to get in touch with their local station and to remain patient as they will be dealt with in turn.

Updates will follow as we have them.

Just a quick reminder that the second tranche of this year’s Aviva Stadium Community Fund is open for applications.  This will close on 14th October.  In total €50,000 is available under this tranche.

When this tranche has been fully allocated it will bring to over €500,000 the sum that the stadium has invested in projects in the area around the stadium.

If you are involved with any clubs, schools or other organisations in the vicinity of the stadium that may have suitable projects for consideration, you should submit your application by 14th October.

Please click on the link below to find more information on the fund, and to download an application form.

http://www.avivastadium.ie/avivastadium_community_grants_scheme_item.aspx?id=68

A big congratulations to the following charities and voluntary groups who all received funding under this year’s Dublin Bus Community Support Programme Awards.

Following a request received from Indian Tiger Film Productions Ltd, Dublin City Council Council is considering authorising the temporary closure of Aston Quay, Crampton Quay and Wellington Quay on Sunday October 09^th 2011  between the hours 06:00 hrs  and 13.45 hrs inclusive.

The temporary road closure is to facilitate filming work.

In addition to the traffic management plan as detailed on the webpage below, pedestrian and local access will be maintained during the period of the closure.

http://www.dublincity.ie/ROADSANDTRAFFIC/SCHEDULEDDISRUPTIONS/Pages/ScheduledDisruptionsHome.aspx

Any person may lodge an objection, in writing, to Dublin City Council, Roads & Traffic Department, Block 2 Floor 6, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.  The closing time and date for receipt of objections is 12:00 midday on Thursday August 25^th 2011.You can fax your objection(s) to (01) 2222 813.

Following a request received from Kavanagh Crane Hire, Dublin City Council intends to make an emergency order authorising the temporary closure of Harcourt Lane (from Adelaide Road to Albert Place West) between the hours 06.00 to 12.00 on Sunday September 18^th 2011. This notification supercedes the original closure order issued for the week ending Sunday September 11^th 2011.

The road closure is to facilitate an emergency telecommunications switch over .

Pedestrian and local access will be maintained during the period of the closure.

Dublin Bus will be introducing service revisions for the Tallaght, Walkinstown, Crumlin and Ringsend areas on Sunday 11^th September. Full details on the revised services can be found on the below link:

http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/News-Centre/Travel-News/Changes-to-services-in-the-City-West-Tallaght-Walkinstown-Crumlin-Coolock-and-Edenmore-areas/

Key changes include:

• Route 77 renamed route 27 and will now operate cross city to Malahide Road QBC (Edenmore) providing direct connections from Tallaght to Bus Aras, Connolly Rail Station and IFSC.
  • It will operate every 10 minutes at peak times and 20 minutes during the day
• Route 77a extended to Citywest and replacing route 50. Route 77a will operate via Killinarden Heights and will terminate on the Ringsend Road. Route 50 will be withdrawn
  • It will operate every 10 minutes at peak times and 20 minutes during the day
• Route 56a will see an improved timetable introduced (route 56 will be withdrawn)
• No change to route 77x

Dublin City Council intends to make an Order authorising the temporary road closure of Sycamore Street, Dublin 2 (from Dame Street to Essex Street East) from 08.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs each day between Friday 05^th September and Saturday 17^th September 2011.

The road closure is to facilitate construction work.

In addition to the traffic management plan as detailed on the webpage below,pedestrian and local access will be maintained during the period of the closure.

http://www.dublincity.ie/ROADSANDTRAFFIC/SCHEDULEDDISRUPTIONS/Pages/ScheduledDisruptionsHome.aspx

I wish to inform you that Dublin City Council at the Adjourned Monthly Meeting held on 25^th July 2011, having considered Report 235/2011of the Dublin City Manager in compliance with Section 138 of the Local Government Act 2001 informing the Council of works which  are about to commence and in compliance with the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, Part 8: The construction of approximately 200m of 2.0m to 2.5m high flood defence walls on both sides of the River Dodder between Lansdowne Road Bridge and the Lansdowne Railway Bridge, adopted the following motion:

“That Dublin City Council notes Report No. 235/2011 and hereby approves the contents thereof”

The OPW plan to move on site on the 15^th August 2011 on the Marian College side of the river. The works will continue until Christmas 2011. The pathway beside the river will be closed off from Monday 29th August and local diversions will be put in place.