Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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334. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his proposals for drainage works on the Cregclare River, Ardrahan, County Galway, in view of the fact that families are marooned in the their houses due to the flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9278/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Cregaclare to Monksfield River flows on to Aggard Stream, which outfalls into the Dunkellin River upstream of Rahasane Turlough.

Works proposed under the Dunkellin River and Aggard Stream Flood Relief Scheme will include flood alleviation measures from upstream of Craughwell Road Bridge to Kilcolgan on the Dunkellin River and also include maintenance of the aforementioned channels from Cregaclare to the outfall into the Dunkellin River including culvert replacement works where existing blocked and undersized piped crossings currently exist.

Galway County Council is acting as Contracting Authority for the proposed flood relief scheme for the Dunkellin area, which is being funded by the Office of Public Works. The Council has appointed engineering and environmental consultants to design the scheme, and is progressing the project under the Strategic Infrastructure Act. I am advised that Galway County Council intends to submit the scheme to An Bord Pleanála for consideration in early Summer. It is not possible to indicate when works can be commenced until the scheme has been progressed through the planning process.

It should be noted that the Cregaclare channel and the lower Dunkellin River form part of the Dunkellin Drainage District for which Galway County Council has a statutory maintenance responsibility. Given the recurrence of flooding again at Cregaclare in 2014, OPW will be requesting Galway County Council to proceed, this summer, with maintenance of the channel from Cregaclare to its outfall into the Dunkelin River in advance of the proposed Dunkellin River and Aggard Stream Flood Relief Scheme works.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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335. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on a flood relief scheme (details supplied); if the Office of Public Works consultants and Cork County Council investigation works have been fed into the design process; if the start date for construction is expected to be delayed in view of the latest flooding difficulties in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9285/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Detailed design of the Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme is currently underway with the recent site investigations providing valuable information to the design team finalising the scheme. The tender process for the procurement of a contractor is due to be commenced very shortly by Cork County Council which is the lead body on the progression and management of the Scheme. The procurement of the contractor is a two stage process with the second stage programmed to take place in mid 2014. Appointment of the contractor is expected to take place towards the end of the year which would allow construction to commence before year end, subject to the necessary Statutory approvals being provided.