Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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1089. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding works at a site (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41947/14]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that Iarnród Éireann, as part of their Railway Safety Improvement Scheme, are currently undertaking essential culvert renewal and stabilisation works to the railway embankment at the Avoca former mine site. This work is being undertaken under an agreement with this Department, which is contributing towards the cost of the work on the rail line that crosses the former mine site.

That work is related to a programme of priority public health and safety works at the Avoca site, being undertaken on behalf of the Department, which will involve a range of actions including the making safe of adits and shafts, stabilising spoil piles and water management over the next two years. Those works are being overseen by a multi-disciplinary project management team that commissioned an archaeological assessment of the overall site in advance of the design of the various elements of the project that will be progressed, subject to planning permission where appropriate. The programme has derived from a comprehensive feasibility study for the long-term remediation of the Avoca mine site that addresses human and ecological concerns, safety and physical hazards, heritage, future uses and long-term site monitoring and management.