OPW Matters May 2021

opw matters V1.05.2021

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Cover: Wild garlic (Allium Ursinum) at the National Botanic Gardens and Glanmire Garda Station.

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The OPW’s flood relief capital works.

Contents

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Foreword from Minister O’Donovan

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Launch of the OPW Statement of Strategy 2021-2024

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Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group

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The Minor Flood Mitigation Works

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Art and Heritage Collections System Project (AHCS)

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The OPW helps Ireland get Brexit ready

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New Garda Stations

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River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme

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Hydrology Section

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National Seed Bank

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OPW Coastal Section

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Biodiversity and the OPW

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Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme

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Foreword Patrick O’Donovan Minister of State

Over the past twelve months, many of us have reconnected to the environment on a level that has not been seen in recent decades. Since being appointed as Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, I have been delighted to launch infrastructural and environmental initiatives that will improve the lives of people across Ireland.

It is clear that, as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, the next decade will be dominated by environmental issues, such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity. The scale and significance of the OPW’s work on climate mitigation measures, including flood management, biodiversity and energy efficiency is long-established and will continue to grow in importance in the years ahead.

Flood relief works undertaken by the OPW are a vital piece of national infrastructure. They impact the lives of a great number of people across Ireland where large communities are reliant on OPW staff and local authority efforts to safeguard their homes and businesses into the future and I want to thank them for their efforts. This past winter, OPW Flood relief schemes in Cork and Tipperary prevented a substantial amount of damage to property during the significant flooding events in southern counties.

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‹ Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme.

I have attended the meetings of the Interdepartmental Flood Policy Coordination Group which co-ordinates Ireland’s whole of Government approach to flood risk management across three strategic and policy areas: Prevention, Protection and Preparedness. Chaired by the OPW, this Group is carrying out important work in considering flood risk management policies and measures that can benefit communities and individuals directly.

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group which was established by the Government in early 2016 is continuing to enhance the ongoing co-operation across all State Agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Group is chaired by the Chairman of the OPW and it is exploring and bringing forward a range of activities and initiatives to help manage flood risk along the River Shannon.

The complex role of the OPW means that it carries within it a hugely diverse range of skills and expertise. A public consultation on a new mobility plan for Dublin’s Phoenix Park, which is designed to improve the experience of visitors while protecting the park environments, was launched in January and received around 2,200 submissions. The plan will improve visitors’ experiences within the Park while protecting its environments which support 50% of the mammal species and 40% of bird species found in Ireland.

The Intermediate Projects team in Claremorris have been busy over the last number of months ensuring that An Garda Síochána’s property portfolio, stretching the length of the country, is modernised and extended. Recent projects in Donegal, Westmeath and Cork have ensured that members of the Force are now working out of state-of-the-art, comfortable and fit for purposes premises.

The civil service workplace is also subject to change as we transition into a post-pandemic world and the OPW will be at the forefront of how we adapt to that change. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through retrofitting civil and public service office buildings and its biodiversity strategy puts the OPW work programme at the heart of delivering the Programme for Government.

As well as guiding the organisation into the next leg of its journey, I am determined to ensure that the story of the OPW and the innovative solutions it delivers are conveyed to a wider audience.

In the pages that follow, the OPW’s diverse remit is abundantly evident. I hope you find this a useful resource.

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Minister O’Donovan and Chairman Maurice Buckley announce the launch of the OPW Statement of Strategy 2021-2024

The OPW launches its new Statement of Strategy 2021–2024

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On 13 May 2021 Minister O’Donovan announced the launch of the OPW Statement of Strategy 2021-2024.

The OPW Strategy builds on the Office’s successes and strengths and sets out a clear vision, mission, purpose and values. Four overarching themes will help inform the work of the OPW for the next three years and beyond. These are: • Our Clients - Strengthening our Outward Facing Service • Sustainability - Embedding Sustainability in our Decisions • Climate Action - Mitigating and Adapting to the impact of Climate Change • People and Processes - Enhancing our Organisational Capability Strategically framing the OPW’s work across four themes, the Strategy sets out the OPW’s priorities for the next three years. By providing clear direction and evaluation commitments it will enable the OPW to provide public services efficiently, address new challenges and deliver on the Government’s commitments. This thematic approach will strengthen the collaborative approach within the OPW and with our client organisations and customers.

Minister of State, Mr. Patrick O’Donovan said: “This Strategy outlines a series of important themes including the areas of Sustainability and Climate Action and I am looking forward to working with all OPW staff and our many stakeholders in achieving the objectives which have been set out. In delivering this Strategy, I am very excited about the positive impact the OPW will have in the years to come.”

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is a key service provider to the Government managing the Government’s estate portfolio, maintaining and presenting Ireland’s built heritage and managing Ireland’s flood risk. The breadth of its role and expertise is reflected in the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future.

This contains commitments that can only be implemented through the OPW’s continued collaboration with our client organisations and customers. The objectives set out in this Statement of Strategy are central to meeting these commitments.

For further information on the OPW Statement of Strategy 2021 – 2024, please go to: www.gov.ie/opw or view our informative video on the OPW Youtube channel.

For further information contact the OPW at policy@opw.ie

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Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government, following severe flooding arising from exceptional weather conditions between December, 2015 and January, 2016, to enhance the ongoing co-operation across all State Agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Group provides a structure where all statutory organisations with roles and responsibilities that involve the Shannon catchment can further monitor and co-ordinate their respective programmes to manage flood risk along the River Shannon.

There are 11 communities in the Shannon River Basin District benefitting from completed flood relief schemes which are protecting people and properties from the risk of flooding. A further 38 flood relief schemes in the Shannon area will be delivered under the Government’s €1bn investment in flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2018 – 2027.

Collectively, all of these schemes when completed will protect 95% of those properties identified as being at significant risk from flooding.

To add to the overall flood protection from flood relief schemes, the Group produces an annual Work Programme that demonstrates the extensive work and co-ordination by all State bodies to jointly and proactively help address flood risk on the Shannon. These Work Programmes are published and available to the public at www.gov.ie.

The Group has a €7m investment programme to implement a co-ordinated strategic programme of maintenance activities for the River Shannon and for the removal of a number of constrictions through the Callows region.

The proposed works can delay flooding and can also benefit navigation and agricultural lands. Waterways Ireland is advancing these measures on behalf of the Group and expects to commence work on some of them later this year when the environmental window permits. Some of the more complex measures will be subject to environmental assessments and planning consent to proceed.

The Group is continuing to explore and introduce additional flood risk solutions that can be of benefit. The Group has already introduced a pilot to reduce the lake levels on Lough Allen and targeted maintenance has been undertaken at five locations. The Group has also examined the cause, rate and degree of restriction over time in the Lower Shannon and work is underway to explore the potential solutions, benefits and indicative costs of the various options.

Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group The OPW is co-ordinating Ireland’s whole of Government approach to flood risk management across three strategic and policy areas: • Prevention e.g. avoiding construction in flood-prone areas, • Protection e.g. taking feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, to reduce the likelihood and impact of floods, and • Preparedness e.g. informing the public about dealing with flood risk and a flood

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The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group, established to support the OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, was reconvened in July 2015. The purpose of the Group is to have regard to the extent of non-structural solutions that will inform the ten-year implementation strategy of the Flood Risk Management Plans arising from the CFRAM study and to ensure that policies that can benefit communities and individuals directly – to be prepared for and respond to or live with flood risk – are carefully considered.

The Group is chaired by the OPW and meets biannually. At its meetings, the Group is updated on progress on specific actions that can benefit and support individuals and communities at risk of flooding, which are being implemented by the relevant Departments and Offices.

This work includes: • Establishment of a National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service • Humanitarian Assistance Schemes.

• Emergency Planning • Flood Insurance • Climate Change • Community Resilience • Planning and Development Guidelines

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The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works in 2009.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.

Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio.

Works that are normally the responsibility of the local authorities will generally not be considered for OPW funding. Where such works would also mitigate the risk of flooding to properties, partial funding may be considered by OPW. The Local Authorities must be satisfied that the works will not have a significant impact on flood risk elsewhere.

The commencement and progression of any works for which funding is approved is a matter for each Local Authority concerned.

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‹ Minister of State, Patrick O’Donovan with Tom Enright, Chief

Executive, Wexford County Council. Wexford County Council successfully submitted an application to the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a project to address the flood risk at the western side of Rosslare Spit. Funding of €551,377 has been approved.

Minor Flood Mitigation Works Coastal Protection Scheme Funding Approvals 01/01/2021- 30/04/2021 Local Authority

Project Location

Project Details

Approved Funding

Cork County Council

Garranachole Castletownroche

Installation of gully trap and perforated drainage pipes & associated works

€22,500

Pilmore Sluice Youghal

Repair / replacement of sluice gate & associated works

€34,392

Crookstown

Storm water pumping station, new drainage pipes & associated works

€297,027

Donegal County Council

Ballybofey/Stranorlar

Construction of pump, 2 storm water manholes & associated works

€101,865

Galway County Council

Glenamaddy Turlough

Flood Relief Feasibility Study to include Hydrological Study, Environmental Assessment & Preliminary Design Report

€22,140

Kerry County Council

Kenmare (Finnihy & Keelnagower Rivers)

Clearance of vegetation along 0.6km length of the Finnihy & Keelnagower River banks

€41,912

Limerick City & County Council

Foynes Yacht Club, Foynes (coastal)

Appointment of consultants to survey the existing defences & the appointment of contractors to carry out the works- additional funding

€38,475

Ballinatona, Galbally

Clear & remove approx. 3km scrub and organic material from a field drainage pipe & to construct a 90m drainage pipe- 300mm diameter

€25,380

Gotoon, Kilmallock

Construct a 375m storm water drain- 450mm diameter

€15,705

Bosnetstown, Kilfinnane

Channel cleaning

€48,915

Longford County Council

Farannyoogan

Replace existing road culvert with new culvert suitably sized* & raise existing road levels

€23,786

Monaghan County Council

Drumfaldra Ballybay

Replacement of circa 50m of stream culvert, road crossing & resurfacing of road

€76,500

Sligo County Council

Rosses Point (coastal)

Installation of 34m of rock revetment to protect the public path

€124,200

Strandhill Bay (coastal)

Coastal Erosion & Flood Risk Management Study

€72,000

Seaview, Kilmore (coastal)

Detailed Design Study

€36,000

Wexford County Council

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Art and Heritage Collections System Project (AHCS) Michael Duffy,

Estate Management System Unit

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is the custodian of one of the largest and most important public collections of cultural assets in the country. Rich and diverse collections of fine art, decorative objects, furniture, economic botany, printed books and archives are held within Government offices, embassies, historic structures and parklands. The majority of these assets are nationally and internationally significant and, in many cases, irreplaceable and priceless.

A complex, multi-phased project entitled the Art and Heritage Collections System Project (AHCS) is underway to enable OPW to centrally manage and account for the records of hundreds of thousands of the above-mentioned cultural assets. The OPW consolidated existing standalone Adlib databases plus the Art Management Access Database into a single centralised webenabled enterprise class system (Phase 1). As part of the overall project, existing bespoke MS-Access databases and Excel files are also being migrated to the new system (Phase 1 & 3). An ambitious cataloguing and digitisation programme is planned in Phase 3 to provide a unified system for the whole of Heritage Services.

Responsibility for managing the various collections is currently divided between a number of business areas within the organisation. This is to ensure that each OPW business area can manage the assets it is responsible for in isolation. It was important that these administrative boundaries be reflected within the new system. Phase 1 is now complete with 15 sites live on the newly implemented AHCS. In total 53,604 records have been migrated from the State Art and Heritage Services Collections. Phase 2 is currently underway and involves defining data standards, cleaning existing data sets and delivering a suite of user policies and procedures. The ultimate goal is to record every object within our properties on the system and to make these publically available through an outward facing portal.

Some benefits of this project include: • Governance and custodial control of heritage assets • Easily accessible data for cultural assets • One centralised repository for the cultural asset data • Legacy systems decommissioned • Supporting the ICT Strategy 2018- 2020 and the Built Heritage Services objective • Significantly improved data on our cultural assets, in terms of its accuracy and granularity which will support:

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management decisions

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key performance indicators

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answering the growing amount of audit queries and other queries

• Faster performance • More secure and robust system • Improved functionality • Improved customer engagement and service • Transparency on cultural asset management activity O’Connell Exhibition ›

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Curators and collections staff are already experiencing the many benefits of the database; one of the most exciting opportunities is the ability for different sites to explore each other’s collections. This will allow us to discover previously unknown connections between collections and will also open up new ways of sharing them with the public.

Even before the first phase of the project was complete, the new database proved invaluable to both OPW Art Management and Kilmainham Gaol Museum as they collaborated on a small exhibition to mark the bi-centenary of a significant historical event. On 30th December 1820, a little over two months after the Kilmainham Courthouse first opened, the High Sheriff of County Dublin, Sir Richard Steele called a meeting of the Freeholders of County Dublin.

As part of the British Government’s administration in Ireland, he wanted to use the meeting to force through a loyal address to King George IV; the extravagant and self-indulgent King was particularly unpopular at the time due to his scandalous attempt to divorce his wife, Queen Caroline.

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Cloncurry Hamilton Rowan

Kilmainham Gaol’s exhibition to mark this event centred on the restoration and display of a portrait of Daniel O’Connell which had not been on display for many years. However, the curatorial team were also anxious to represent some of the other personalities involved, most notably Lord Cloncurry and Archibald Hamilton Rowan. While the Gaol had nothing suitable relating to these men in its own collection, thanks to the access provided by the new Art and Heritage Collections System it was possible to identify two engravings of the men in the Douglas Hyde Collection in Áras an Uachtaráin. This collection of historical Irish portraits was assembled by President Douglas Hyde in the 1940s and although it is not an OPW collection, the portraits are cared for by OPW Art Management on behalf of the President. His office generously agreed to lend the Cloncurry and Rowan portraits to the Gaol following an approach by Art Management. The AHCS team are currently developing an Intranet site on Stór where you will be able to keep up to date with the Art and Heritage Collections System Project.

An all-user email will issue to notify you when this site has gone live.

We look forward to sharing OPW’s rich art and heritage collections online in due course.

AHCS Team, which includes representatives from Heritage Services, Art Management, Furniture Branch, ICT and Estate Management System Units.

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The OPW helps Ireland get Brexit ready

Brexit prompts unprecedented State infrastructure build – VIDEO LINK

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New Garda Stations Tim O’Sullivan,

Intermediate Projects

The OPW Intermediate Projects team in Claremorris have been busy over the last number of months ensuring that An Garda Síochána’s property portfolio stretching the length of the country has been modernised and extended.

Projects in Donegal, Westmeath and Cork have ensured that Members of the Force are now working out of state of the art, comfortable and fit for purposes premises.

Donegal Town’s Garda Station was under pressure for several years. Located in the centre of the town, just off the Diamond, the building is a striking, three storey building, but was not adequate for the needs of the Force in the town.

James Sweeney, Head of the North West Region, championed the cause for a new Station in the town. Several options were considered, but eventually a plan to completely refurbish the existing building and extend the building to the rear was selected. The build was scheduled to take 15 months, but with the impact of Covid (Donegal was particularly badly hit) it took about four months longer to complete. The end result was well worth the wait: it is a Station which retains the style and character of the original building, while incorporating a modern, spacious extension.

Meanwhile, in Athlone, the Garda Water Unit now occupies an upgraded home that meets their unique requirements. The Unit is regularly called in for investigations relating to murders and serious crime, missing persons and evidence recovery relating to locations involving water. In addition to underwater searches, it is regularly asked to carry out surface patrols throughout the country and around the Irish coastline. This involves the enforcement of marine legislation and the policing of major events taking place on or near the water.

Up to now the Athlone Unit was based at the main Garda Station in Athlone town. Here they shared sanitary facilities in the main Station and had offices in prefabricated units in the back yard. Their equipment (boats, vehicles, diving equipment) was stored in industrial units on the other side of Athlone town.

Plans to upgrade their storage facilities, incorporating new office space and sanitary facilities in one location have been on the books for several years, but were delayed due to the economic situation over the last number of years.

But 2020 saw the completion of the works and now the Garda Water Unit are in facilities that meet their needs. The huge advantage is that their whole operation is now located in a single base.

Last, but by no means least, Glanmire in Cork has a brand new Garda Station.

The former Station was in a leased premises that had definitely seen better days. A new premises was acquired and the project to fit out this was again managed by OPW Intermediate Projects. The Glanmire based Gardaí now have a modern, fit for purpose Station and are no longer operating from a building better suited to a bygone era.

And the work continues, tender documentation has been issued to prequalified firms for the Main, Mechanical and Electrical works on the new District Headquarters in Bailieborough, Co. Cavan. We expect construction to begin in 2021 and last 21 months.

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Athlone Garda Water Unit

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Donegal Garda Station

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Glanmire Garda Station

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River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme Steve Jones,

Engineer (Flood Relief Design Section)

The River Poddle rises in Cookstown in Tallaght and travels in a north-easterly direction towards Dublin City. It is mainly open channel until it reaches the Grand Canal at Griffith College where it is culverted for 4km and travels beneath the city under Donore Avenue – Newmarket – St. Patricks Cathedral – Dublin Castle and The Olympia Theatre before discharging into the River Liffey.

The Issue There is a history of both fluvial and pluvial flooding, from the river and the drainage network, on the Poddle over the last 30 years. One event in 2011 resulted in significant flooding in Crumlin and Harold’s Cross and the tragic death of a nurse on Parnell Road. The urbanised and constricted nature of the channel in many locations makes flood risk management challenging.

The Remedy OPW in conjunction with South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council and Nicholas O’Dwyer Consulting Engineers have completed preliminary design and reached a significant milestone when a submission was made to An Board Pleanála in 2020. The proposed scheme is designed to provide protection against a 100-year fluvial flood event (1% AEP), will protect approximately 860 residential and 61 commercial properties and will be constructed by OPW direct labour. South Dublin County Council and Dublin City Council are in tandem to correct issues with the drainage network to further protect properties from pluvial flooding.

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‹ Proposed Flood Storage

Embankment and flow control structure

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Channel Realignment at Whitehall Park Conception (View Downstream)

In layman’s terms the primary solution is upstream storage through the creation of a flood storage embankment and attenuation of the flow with a flow control structure. Think of it as turning the tap to allow for a steady stream of water to be maintained at all times (2-year event) regardless of how full the tank is.

This allows for a greater capacity of water to be stored in Tymon Park and for the controlled release of additional water during flood events. The benefits of upstream storage in this case include more manageable construction in open public parklands, reduction in height of flood defences downstream and the bonus that more congested and complex areas previously thought to require intervention downstream will no longer require works.

Two other significant works areas are at Whitehall Park (Templeville Road) where a channel realignment is proposed and at Ravensdale Park (Poddle Park) where flood walls are to be constructed to provide flood protection and additional storage. An Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) will also be created in Tymon Park which is to improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, increase amenity value and further attenuate flows.

There has been great collaboration between all teams working on the project.

All parties have worked together to ensure the highest OPW and International technical standards are met in the Schemes hydrology, hydraulic, options development and economic appraisal.

Due to the impacts of Covid 19 the deadline for submissions to An Bord

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Proposed Channel Realignment at Whitehall Park Conception (View Upstream)

Pleanála (ABP) on the Scheme was extended until Monday 11th of May 2020.

In July, ABP issued a request for further information (RFI) which was completed and returned on 19th of October 2020. In response to the RFI further submissions were received and a response issued on the 5th of February 2021.

The scheme is currently awaiting a planning decision which is expected in Q2 2021.

As a resident in the area, it has been beneficial over the last three years to balance technical and professional elements as an Engineer with stakeholder considerations as a resident. I’ve always considered that if the benefits of the scheme can be proven to me, conveying these benefits and achieving the buyin of other stakeholders and local residents is a much easier task to achieve.

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Proposed Flood Storage Embankment and flow control structure

Poddle in Numbers: • Properties Protected: 921 (Fluvial) • Projected Cost: €9.5m (Fluvial) • Planning Route: Part X (Strategic Infrastructure Development) • Public Consultation: 5 days – 6 locations • Further information www.poddlefas.ie or info@poddlefas.ie

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Hydrology Section

Established in 2020, the functions of the Hydrology Section can be broadly divided into four areas of flood risk management expertise:

Flood forecasting The Hydrology Section is collaborating with Met Éireann to establish the first Irish National Flood Forecasting service. It will be responsible for oversight of the service and providing guidance for standards and performance. By the end of 2021 it is planned that the service will be in a position to provide high level national flood forecasts in pre-operational mode.

Peter Newport CEng, Hydrometric

Extreme Flood Estimation In 2020, the Hydrology Section commenced work on the Flood Estimation Methodologies for Ireland (FEMI) Programme. This programme will deliver the next generation of flood estimation methodologies that will be used to estimate extreme flood magnitudes to assist in the design of infrastructure in or near rivers, in particular flood relief schemes and bridge design levels.

Modelling the effects of climate change on flood flows in Ireland The Hydrology Section is building hydrological computer models for all main Irish rivers. Once built, it will be possible to incorporate future climate scenarios to these models to estimate how the flood behaviour of Irish rivers will have changed by the end of the century. It will also be possible to model future changes due to the impacts of urbanisation, afforestation, and land use change.

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Modelled flows using the GR4J Hydrological model

Data Analytics applied to hydrological data (e.g. satellite imagery, historic data) The Hydrology section will lead the progression of use of big data analysis for hydrology. This will include applying data analytics to the use of remote sensing (data from satellite observations), crowdsourcing of flood data from social media and citizen science, reconstruction of historical flow records from rainfall records (data rescue).

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A National Seed Bank in the National Botanic Gardens Colin Kelleher

National Botanic Gardens

Plants are fascinating. Even though they surround us and feed us, they often go unseen and unnoticed each day. They even hold the record for the largest and oldest organisms on earth - the largest being a clone of aspen trees and the oldest being a bristle cone pine in Nevada, estimated to be almost 5000 years old. One of the most fascinating aspects of plants is their seeds. These propagules contain the blueprints to create a new plant and can be carried across many kilometres by wind, or by animals through their fur or gut. The hooks on the seed of burdock clinging to his dog so enthralled the Swiss engineer George de Mestral, that he took inspiration and invented Velcro.

Seed is generally short-lived, but on occasion it can last in the wild for many years and emerge from dormancy after disruption of the soil. One of the oldest seeds to germinate is from a date palm. It was discovered during an archaeological excavation near the Dead Sea in 1963 and was dated to be almost 2000 years old. The climate of this region is exceptionally dry and this is probably why the seed remained viable. To maintain viable seed for years, conditions need to be created to mimic the parched landscape of the Dead Sea and this can be a challenge in Ireland’s damp climate.

Seed banks are integral to best practice for plant conservation in botanic gardens. They are medium to long-term stores of genetic material with a known origin and tested viability. Probably the most well-known seed bank is the Global Seed Vault in the arctic circle. It is an international collaboration and stores crop varieties from across the world, including Irish varieties of oat and barley. National seed banks are equally important and can feed into projects like the global vault. As part of the 2019 National Biodiversity Conference: New Horizons for Nature Conference Charter, ‘Our Seeds for Nature’, the OPW committed to develop a National Seed Bank for conserving Irish flora in the National Botanic Gardens. We are currently setting up this seed bank to hold our native seeds into the future. We will clean, sort and dry the seed before data-basing it and putting it in low humidity freezers to maintain its viability for years to come. The National Seed Bank is a long term project helping to conserve our native plant biodiversity.

We will be posting updates on our Twitter and Instagram accounts as we develop the facilities and deposit seed (@DBNherbarium).

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A selection of seed showing many different adaptations to dispersal

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A brief overview of the OPW Coastal Section

With sea-level rises predicted to be an ongoing problem for coastal communities, the OPW Coastal Section plays a vital role within the overall Flood Risk Management area.

This business unit, which is currently staffed by five Engineers, undertakes a number of key functions: • It provides an advisory service to support the preparation of annual coastal funding programmes and the development of national policy and strategy in relation to coastal flooding and coastal change.

• It develops and manages programmes to enhance the coastal flood forecasting and warning capacity within OPW and Ireland.

Jim Casey

Chartered Engineer, Coastal Section

• It undertakes risk assessments associated with coastal flooding and coastal erosion at selected sites making used of innovative technologies and methodologies.

• It also participates in and promotes important research considered relevant to the above.

The unit is managing and overseeing numerous projects with important deliverables in 2021. Some of these include: • The Irish Coastal Wave and Water Level Modelling Study 2018 (ICWWS-2018) – a national scale project to update the estimates of extreme water levels and wave conditions around the coast of Ireland.

This study takes account of additional available sea level, wind and wave data since the completion of previous associated studies. The project will also fill a significant gap in coastal knowledge in Ireland through the development of an up-to-date surface to relate Mean Sea Level to Ordnance Datum Malin. The study has just recently been completed and the outputs have now been published on the OPW web portal FloodInfo.ie.

• The Coastal Data Viewer - a project being developed in conjunction with the FRM Data Management Section with the aim of collating, quality controlling and making available all OPW spatial Coastal Information System (CIS) datasets on an easy to use internal web viewer. Phase 1 of the project was completed in March 2020 and is currently available to view internally on the OPW DataHub homepage (see sample below). Phase 2 of the project is ongoing and involves adding additional datasets and functionality to the Coastal Data Map Viewer, which is also externally available on the OPW web portal FloodInfo.ie Coastal Map.

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Sample View of Galway Bay from Coastal Data Viewer

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Biodiversity and the OPW Nathy Gilligan Head of Environment

Peoples’ awareness around Biodiversity loss and the declining environmental condition of the planet is higher than ever. In 2019 Ireland became the second country in the world to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency. Eightyfive per cent of our protected habitats and thirty per cent of protected species are at risk. Furthermore, research shows that high biodiversity reduces the risk of animal disease outbreaks in humans which is likely linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The OPW is in a privileged position to play a key role in protecting Ireland’s diverse plants and animals. Our organisation operates at many levels with regard to biodiversity; from devising national strategies, setting good practice standards, conducting public outreach and educational programmes, engaging with NGOs, through to a whole range of applied biodiversity enhancement initiatives intertwined with services nationally. Put simply, we are driving the initiative to protect our valuable natural assets. Some examples include: • Leading development of Ireland’s National Strategy for Plant Conservation, with a series of measures to strengthen conservation of indigenous plants.

• Development of national environmental guidance for river maintenance works, to further reduce potential environmental impacts and maximise ecological gain.

• Community outreach programmes like the Phoenix Park Biodiversity Festival and National Honey Show, to engage people, raise awareness and public education.

• Swift nest site identification with Birdwatch Ireland on historic properties to protect the same during conservation works, such as at Liscarroll Castle, Co. Cork.

• The grounds of the Brú na Bóinne centre Co. Meath are now planted entirely with native plants combined with hazel coppiced to mimic native wattle fences.

• Land management practices to actively encourage traditional wildflower meadows for heritage sites like the Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens, Co. Wicklow.

• Habitat enhancements are integrated into flood defence embankments, for example construction of an artificial badger set at Lough Ree, Co. Westmeath.

• Spawning gravels are reintroduced into suitable drained rivers across the country from Co. Donegal to Co. Wexford, to improve salmon and trout spawning.

• Bat boxes are erected as part of river works, for instance, been integrated with bridge maintenance works in Co. Monaghan, to assist bat conservation.

• A herd of Kerry cattle, graze the meadows in Doneraile Wildlife Park, Co. Cork, as part of an initiative to conserve this rare indigenous breed and enhance the traditional grasslands.

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opwmatters

The OPW is at the forefront of Ireland’s efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity, and this includes moving Biodiversity further up the corporate agenda. Our own internal governance structures are being strengthened with the formulation of a new OPW Biodiversity Working Group. This activity is intended to empower staff to increase cross-function working between services in order to maximise the biodiversity gain for the OPW as a whole.

There will clearly be challenges ahead in balancing biodiversity with the need to deliver public services. Population growth is a global pressure. This trend is reflected in Ireland with the National Planning Framework making allowance for an increase of 1.1 million people by 2040. In parallel, more extreme weather patterns and flooding are increasing due to climate change.

A strategic objective under the National Biodiversity Plan, is the mainstreaming of biodiversity in the decision-making process and the OPW is now directly aligned with this government policy going forward.

We are inviting all staff to take part in Biodiversity Week 2021 by participating in a staff conference that highlights how biodiversity plays a role right across the work programme of the OPW. Our multidisciplinary teams engage with biodiversity in a myriad of ways.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is proud to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and showcase the Backweston Campus in Co. Kildare; Conceived twenty years ago, the true value of the Backweston Campus lies in innovation and the OPW’s vision for a sustainable landscape. In this video, Ciaran O’Connor, State Architect and Director of Architectural Services explains how a more sustainable future can be achieved when creative minds combine, the Backweston campus in Co Kildare includes features that are beneficial to the natural world while offering thoughtfully designed spaces that enhance the wellbeing of the staff who work there. Ecology and human-centred design go hand-in-hand in this unique setting. VIDEO LINK

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opwmatters

Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme

Clonakilty has been flooded by its rivers and the estuary on numerous occasions, including significant flooding in June 2012. The flood relief scheme completed in December 2020 now protects some 300 properties, bringing a new lease of life to this historic town.

The scheme includes engineered river flood defences throughout the town centre; and tidal defences, including road raising, along the estuary. The scheme also relies on reducing the size of floods by providing a flow control structure and natural storage area for heavy rainfall upstream of the town. The scheme has been built to allow for operational and structural variations into the future to allow for predicted increases in flood risk due to climate change.

A strong emphasis through collaboration with Cork County Council is to improve the public realm in the town. The scheme’s finishes are sympathetic to the surrounding environment, with a strong focus on natural stonework and locally sourced architectural finishes. Although it was necessary, there was a lot of disruption to the town of Clonakilty over the last number of years. You can see from the photo, above left, the scale of the works at Michael Collins Bridge.

The photo, above right, is from the same location in December 2020 and the community was delighted to have their town back in preparation for the festive season.

Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme To better understand the Lower Lee (Cork City) flood relief scheme this fascinating video has been produced. The Scheme represents the largest State investment in flood defence ever undertaken in the country. It is an important element of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 Strategy. VIDEO LINK

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For all the latest news and events from the OPW join us on social media where we regularly post a wide range of information that is of interest to people across the country.

We have seen a huge increase in our social media audience over the past twelve months as people have availed of content from our collections, received updates on the impact of Covid at various sites, viewed videos on everything from International Women’s Day to Brexit preparations and the welcome arrival of snowdrops - and generally kept in touch with us as we shared lockdown online. We very much look forward to continuing to add new, engaging content about the work that impacts on you and others across Ireland and welcome your contributions.

To view some of our recent videos visit our YouTube Channel For upcoming news, events, talks and content: Follow us on Twitter @opwireland Find us on Facebook @opwireland Find us on Instagram @opwireland Join us on Linkedin @opwireland www.gov.ie/opw