Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

227. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 11 March 2014, the position in relation to a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18915/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I indicated in the reply to the Question the Deputy refers to, the Government decided on 11^thFebruary, 2014 to allocate €69.5 million for repair and remediation works to public infrastructure damaged in the storms from 13^thDecember 2013 to 6^thJanuary 2014, of which up to €19.6 million was allocated for repairs to damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure. The allocation of funding under the Government Decision was to specifically address the repair of existing damaged infrastructure.

The proposal submitted by Clare County Council in relation to Clohaninchy was for the construction of a new coastal protection rock armour or similar structure and it therefore falls outside the scope of the Government Decision of 11^thFebruary. A new coastal protection scheme for Clohaninchy would involve very significant investment and require detailed prior study and assessment to determine that it will achieve the intended design objective and be economically and environmentally viable. Clare County Council will need to address this separately and outside of the current process aimed at repair.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

228. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position in relation to a flood alleviation project (details supplied) in County Clare; the date on which it is expected that work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18917/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Clare County Council is undertaking the Ennis South flood alleviation project covering the St. Flannan's College and Ballybeg areas in Ennis with funding being provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW). As indicated in reply to the Deputy's Question on 4^thFebruary, 2014, the OPW raised certain issues in relation to aspects of the initial cost benefit analysis report for the scheme prepared by the Council. An amended cost/benefit report has recently been submitted to the OPW by the Council and it is currently being reviewed.

If the OPW is satisfied that the amended report demonstrates the economic viability of the scheme, Clare County Council has indicated it would be in a position to commence the procurement process for the works contractor within a short time-frame. The OPW has made provision for the scheme in its multi-annual budget profiles.