Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I welcome the fact he spoke about projects in Westport, Ballina and Crossmolina going ahead. I want to ask about Crossmolina in particular. The people there have been told that money has been ring-fenced for the work to go ahead. This week I was informed by the Minister that all work on environmental assessments and review is due to be completed in the coming weeks. If the Minister then makes an order confirming the scheme, how long until we see the work commencing? Is the project there completely budgeted for? Are the resources in place? Until these issues are addressed, there can be no other development in the town. There are 116 properties under direct threat from flooding. Ballina is also in need of flood relief, with 175 homes and small businesses identified as being under threat. Properties located in Bachelors Walk, Arbuckle Row and Clare Street suffered extensive flooding and damage a number of years ago and they are still under threat. Stage 1 commenced in March 2020, but this only covers scheme development and preliminary design. Will the Minister of State provide an update on when this project will commence?

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