Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Kildare County Council (KCC), in consultation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), engaged consulting engineers to carry out a Full Feasibility Study, Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Lower Morrell River and the surrounding river catchment in order to resolve the outstanding localised flooding issues in the Straffan area. A Steering Group which comprises representatives of KCC, the OPW and the consultants was set up to advance the project.

KCC and its consultants submitted a Draft Options Report/Feasibility Study to the OPW in 2014. Following consideration of the draft report by the OPW, it was agreed by the Steering Group that the consultants would carry out a review of the proposed scheme. The review would investigate if additional or alternative and more cost effective measures could be put in place to alleviate flooding in the area. Any changes identified by the review process would need to be incorporated into the CBA and EIS before the scheme can be advanced.

I am advised that the consultants have completed the review process and KCC has submitted its findings to the OPW. It is expected that the Steering Group will be meeting shortly with the aim of finalising the Feasibility Report. Once the Feasibility Report has been finalised, and provided the scheme is still economically and environmentally viable, KCC and the OPW will decide on how best to advance the proposed works. I can confirm that the Lower Morrell scheme remains a priority and the OPW has included provision for the cost of the proposed works in its financial profiles in the period up to 2018.