Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be able to provide Deputy Carey with this information and good news for Ennis. It is an issue he has been pursuing for some time with me and my predecessors.

It might be useful to inform the Deputy and the House that Clare County Council has estimated that the all-in cost of the scheme, inclusive of all professional fees and other costs, will be in the region of €3.6 million. As I have already outlined, it is expected that the scheme will commence in either February or March of 2015. The next significant date in terms of timelines is the appointment of a contractor, which I hope will happen very soon.

It is also worth noting the other floor relief projects that have been undertaken in the Ennis area. The Ennis lower flood relief scheme works were substantially completed in September of this year; there is a bit of routine snagging going on. The estimated outturn for that scheme is approximately €11.2 million. We also have the Ennis Fior Uisce scheme, the contract for which Clare County Council expects will be awarded in early January, with works commencing in early February. The works will consist of embankments and flood walls, along with a surface water pump station and associated works to the surface water and sceptre pipes.

Regarding Thomond Villas, Clare County Council is currently carrying out preparatory investigations with a view to submitting an application under the minor flood works and coastal protection scheme. That scheme is very useful to councils, because local authorities can apply to my office for funding of up to €500,000 to carry out minor flood relief works - minor in terms of cost but major in terms of the impact on people in communities across Ireland. That is something Clare County Council is considering with regard to Thomond Villas, and should we receive an application, we will endeavour to process that as efficiently as possible.

I look forward to the commencement of the Ennis south scheme in 2015 and to being there with Deputy Carey when the scheme is completed.

See this speech in context