Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to previous Parliamentary Questions (details supplied), when approval will be provided for a drainage scheme on the Clare River; the reason for the delay with the approval, particularly as his reply of 26 May 2015 stated that it is hoped work would commence this summer; if tenders will have to be sought for this work after the money is approved, and the time frame, if required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25245/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has submitted the proposals for the Clare River (Claregalway) flood relief scheme for statutory approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts.

A report commissioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) on a required independent evaluation of the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the Scheme by the OPW is under consideration by that Department. As the Deputy is aware, before the proposed scheme can be confirmed, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (MPER) must be satisfied that the Environmental and Natura Impact Statements adequately identify, describe and assess the direct and indirect effects of the proposed scheme.

It had been hoped that construction works would commence this Summer in Claregalway but until the required environmental assessment process is finalised within DPER it is not yet possible for the scheme to be Confirmed by the Minister. This is a complex area and officials are working with relevant experts to progress the matter with a view to commencing construction works at the earliest opportunity. The fact that the OPW will be carrying out the works primarily using its own direct labour force will eliminate the necessity for a lengthy tender process for a main civil works contractor once the scheme is Confirmed.

I wish to reaffirm that the OPW remains committed to carrying out the scheme, subject to the Minister's sanction, and has provided for it's cost in it's multi-annual capital expenditure profiles to 2017.