Written answers

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

178. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the planned flood relief scheme in Cork city, including the timeline for its delivery and the funding committed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45826/15]

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

The Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme is at design stage with the outline design expected to be completed in the next few months. At the same time, an Environmental Impact Statement will be completed. It is expected that this will allow the holding of a formal public exhibition in mid 2016 following which work on the detailed design will be progressed with the aim of enabling the Office of Public Works (OPW) to submit the Scheme for Ministerial Confirmation under the Arterial Drainage Acts as early as possible in 2017.

Subject to the Scheme being Confirmed the OPW will aim to appoint a civil works contractor and commence construction within a short period thereafter. Due to the likely scale of the proposed Scheme, it is possible that the Scheme will be undertaken on a phased basis under a number of contracts. The design consultants have commenced work on a Phasing Report which will assist a structured implementation of the Scheme. This will be a very significant scheme with commensurate costs and it is anticipated that the works will take at least 4-5 years to complete.

Both the OPW and Cork City Council are anxious that works would commence at the earliest possible date and investigations are underway to see if some advance works could be undertaken by the City Council under its own powers. Should this prove possible, then funding would be provided to the Council by OPW to enable it to progress such works in late 2016.

As the outline design for Blackpool has been completed it has been decided to separate this and make it a Scheme in its own right. The proposals for Blackpool are currently on public exhibition and subject to a successful exhibition it is hoped to complete the detailed design of the Scheme there and proceed to the tender process for a civil works contractor in mid 2016. The scheme would also be sent for Confirmation to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform at the same time and subject to no issues arising, a contractor could be appointed before the end of 2016.

The Government remains fully committed to the provision of a flood relief scheme for the people of Cork City and the OPW has made provision for the cost of implementing both schemes in its Multi Annual Budget Profiles over the period 2016-2021.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.