Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

84. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of planned flood relief schemes (details supplied) in County Cork including the commencement and completion dates for each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44534/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In relation to the Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme, a preferred scheme design option was presented at a statutory Public Exhibition which took place from 15 December 2014 to 20 January 2015. All the observations received from concerned parties have been answered. Detailed design of the scheme will commence shortly, which will be followed by a procurement process for a civil works contractor and the formal Confirmation of the Scheme by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts. Subject to successful completion of the tender and Confirmation processes, it is hoped that construction will start in late 2016 or early 2017.

The position with regard to the Bandon Flood Relief Scheme is that the second stage of a tender competition for a civil works contractor is underway. Tender documentation has been issued to the short-listed candidates and tenders are due back in early January. The Scheme will shortly be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (PER) for formal Confirmation of the Scheme as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. The Minister will be required to undertake an independent review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to ensure that all legislative requirements have been complied with before the Scheme can be approved. It is planned that works will commence in the summer of 2016.

The Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme has been submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for Confirmation and is also subject to an independent review of the EIS. Cork County Council is the Contracting Authority for the Skibbereen Scheme and the Council is progressing the process to procure a civil works contractor. Approval for the contractor appointment by the OPW as the sponsoring and funding agent must await the formal Confirmation of the Scheme by the Minister. It is hoped that this process will be completed in early 2016, which will allow construction of the Scheme to be commenced in mid-2016.

It is expected that the Clonakilty, Bandon and Skibbereen Schemes will take approximately 24-30 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 2016-2018.