Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update with regard to planned flood relief schemes (details supplied) in County Cork; the commencement and completion dates for each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20952/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The BandonFlood Relief Scheme is currently at tender stage for procurement of a civil works contractor. The pre-qualification process to provide a shortlist of contractors is completed and tender documents are currently being finalised and are expected to be issued very shortly by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to the applicants who were selected to tender for the project.

The Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Cork County Council as the Contracting Authority for the project, with funding being provided by the OPW. The current position is that tenders have been received and are currently being examined by the Council.

Both the Skibbereen and Bandon Schemes will shortly be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for Confirmation i.e. statutory approval under the Arterial Drainage Acts. This process includes an independent review of the Environmental Impact Statement for each Scheme. It is hoped that this process will be completed on both Schemes in time to allow Contractors to be appointed in the Autumn of this year. Once a contractor is appointed and construction gets underway, it is expected that it will take approximately two years to complete each Scheme.

In relation to the ClonakiltyFlood Relief Scheme, a preferred scheme design option was presented at a statutory Public Exhibition which took place from 15th December 2014 to 20th January 2015. Members of the Public were invited to submit observations on the preferred option by 20th February 2015. All the observations received from concerned parties are currently being considered and will be taken on board as far as possible.

Provided there is broad acceptance of the Clonakilty Scheme proposals by the public, detailed design of the Scheme will be undertaken. This will be followed by procurement of a civil works contractor and seeking Confirmation of the Scheme. Subject to successful completion of the tender and Confirmation processes, it is hoped that construction will start in early 2016. The construction programme is expected to take up to 24 months to complete.

The Government remains fully committed to the provision of flood relief schemes for the people of Bandon, Skibbereen and Clonakilty and the OPW has made provision for the cost of implementing these schemes in its financial profiles over the years 2015-2018.