Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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84. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the up-to-date status of the flood relief plans for the River Deel in Crossmolina in County Mayo; the progress of the statutory public exhibition; when he expects the Office of Public Works to seek formal sanction to proceed with a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33770/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) and its consultants are currently refining a preferred option for the Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme, along with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement which will assess the effect of the scheme on aspects of life in Crossmolina, from the natural environment to its possible impact on the quality of life for the residents of the town.

These documents, along with maps/drawings and photomontages will be used in the formal Scheme Exhibition, which it is hoped to hold early in 2016. The Exhibition will run for 4 weeks and the above documents will be on public display at a venue in Crossmolina (yet to be decided), along with a duplicate set being made available in the Council offices in Castlebar. In addition, on a number of days and evenings during the exhibition, OPW staff and consultants will be in attendance to answer queries and take comments on the scheme.

Following the exhibition period, a further minimum period of 4 weeks will be allowed for the receipt of comments and observations from interested parties, which will be given due consideration by the OPW, with the scheme being amended if appropriate. Following this, the detailed design of the Scheme will be undertaken which will allow the relevant documentation to be prepared to apply for formal Confirmation of the scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, hopefully during the second quarter of 2016.

As part of the Confirmation process, the Minister will be required, as a result of EU environmental regulations, to have an independent assessment of the Environmental Impact Statement carried out. Every effort will be made to bring the Scheme to construction stage before end 2016 but it may be 2017 before construction commences.

The OPW remains fully committed to the Scheme and has provided for its costs in its multi annual budget profiles for 2016-2018.