Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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307. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding road restoration works at a location (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11982/15]

Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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308. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the planned measures by the Office of Public Works to ensure that unsafe access to the River Dargle Flood Relief construction site by children is prevented; the measures in place by the Office to inspect safety hazards at the site; the current line of responsibility for the statutory safety file for this project; if the safety statement for the works has been inspected and approved by the Office; the safety audits which are carried out and by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11983/15]

Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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309. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to restore the People's Park in Bray, County Wicklow; when these works are due for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11984/15]

Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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310. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works plans to conduct an audit of traffic movements, construction signage and general traffic and pedestrian safety in the vicinity of the River Dargle Flood Prevention Construction Site before work recommences in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11985/15]

Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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311. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the planting and seeding of disturbed river banks at La Vallee, Bray, County Wicklow; and if the planting scheme will be open to public consultation as construction work in this area was not included in the environmental impact statement or planning application for the Dargle Flood Relief Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11986/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 to 311, inclusive, together.

It is important to state at the outset that the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme in Bray County Wicklow is being undertaken by Wicklow County Council (WCC) as the Contracting Authority with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). While OPW representatives sit on the Project Steering Group which oversees the project, responsibility for the day to day running and management of the scheme, including Health and Safety matters, site supervision and public liaison, rests with WCC.

In relation to Deputy's question on the Castle Street junction with the Dargle road, I am informed by WCC that, in its view, the junction and road condition is not in a very unsafe condition. While the footpaths and road lining in the area require further work, the area cannot be finally re-surfaced until the piled river wall is complete and the boardwalk is installed. If footpaths and road lining at this location were re-laid now it would have to be ripped up and re-done at a later date to facilitate the boardwalk.

With regard to your query on the prevention of unsafe access to the flood relief construction site, I am advised by WCC that two security companies using cameras and night time patrols are employed by WCC for site security. The monitoring of site safety hazards and the repair and strengthening of security fencing is carried out on an ongoing basis by WCC and its agents. The statutory safety file is being maintained, in line with statutory requirements and best practice, by the consultants hired by WCC. As the OPW is not the contracting authority for the project it is not required to approve the Safety Statement. I am further informed by WCC that regular safety inspections are being carried out by the construction team and consultants, as required by law and best practice.

In relation to the People's Park, I understand that a substantial part of it was handed back for public use in November last year and that WCC plans to hand back the remaining, relatively small areas, which are currently being used for works compounds in September 2016.

As the OPW is not the Contracting Authority on the project it is not responsible for conducting traffic audits. Satisfactory management of construction traffic will be required of the successful contractors as part of their methodology for undertaking the works. WCC will arrange regular inspection of traffic safety measures as part of its management of the works construction.

I am further advised by WCC that works to the river bank at La Vallee were emergency works, arranged because of the imminent danger of collapse of the river bank adjacent to apartment and office blocks. The landscaping works being carried out at the apartment blocks at present are re-instatement works and regular and detailed consultation with the apartment owners is ongoing. The opposite bank will be planted in the near future to further stabilise the bank. This planting will be undertaken in accordance with the general principles of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and as this bank was envisaged by the EIS to be excavated, it will be planted to the standard envisaged by the EIS, or better.