Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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732. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a flood relief project (details supplied) in County Clare; when it will move to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1080/17]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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733. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the provision of a flood relief scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1081/17]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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734. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the provision of a flood relief scheme for Clonahinchy, Quilty, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1083/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 732 to 734, inclusive, together.

The Ennis South Scheme is being progressed by Clare County Council (CCC) with funding from the Office of Public Works (Office of Public Works). Day to day management of the project is the responsibility of CCC. From enquiries my office has made it is understood that tender documents are being prepared at present and the Council expect to be in a position to go to tender within the next 4 weeks. Following on from the tender period and subsequent assessment of tenders they hope to be in a position to commence work on the ground by the end of the second quarter of this year.

With regard to the Springfield/Clonlara areas, in light of the extreme flooding experienced in December 2015 and January 2016, the Office of Public Works has instructed the consultants for the Shannon CFRAM study to undertake further analysis to better understand the specifics of the flood event and to review the hydraulic modelling and flood mapping for this area. This work is underway and is expected to be completed shortly. Following the review of the modelling and flood mapping the assessment of options in this area will be revisited to determine if potential measures are viable.

In relation to Clonahinchy, the Office of Public Works and CCC met in September 2016 to explore alternative flood risk management options and measures which would be economically viable, as the Council’s initial proposals as set out in the consultants report it had commissioned did not meet the relevant criteria. Office of Public Works is awaiting a revised proposal from CCC to produce a cost-beneficial and effective flood defence option for Clohaninchy.

The Office of Public Works acknowledge the ongoing local community involvement and have highlighted to CCC the importance of keeping the local community informed of proposed flood risk management plans.