Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding allocated in her Department's Estimates for 2017 for the restoration of the Ulster Canal; the expenditure to date in 2017; the estimated expenditure by the end of 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49800/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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137. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding provision in her Department's Estimates for 2018 for the restoration of the Ulster Canal; the work to be undertaken in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49801/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.

One of my priorities since taking Ministerial office has been the restoration of the Ulster Canal.  I secured Government approval to restore a 2.5 km stretch of the Ulster Canal from the Shannon-Erne Waterway to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson, Co Cavan on 24th February 2015.  

The project, which comprises three work phases, is being undertaken by Waterways Ireland.

The contractor is progressing with works on site for the 3rd and final phase of delivery, the creation of a new 250m section of canal and the construction of a new road bridge north of the existing Derrykerrib Bridge.  Works are on target with completion anticipated at end of May 2018 subject to weather conditions and water levels over the 2017 /2018 winter.  All dredging works are now complete.  Approximately 60% of the upstream canal walls are in place and the cofferdam for the bridge is under construction.

In 2017 to date almost €2.6m has been spent on the entire Ulster Canal project.  Further expenditure of over €270k is forecast to the end of 2017.  Expenditure of €920k is forecast to complete navigation to Castlesaunderson in 2018.

Waterways Ireland has been allocated €24m from my Departments Vote for investment in the management, maintenance and development of the inland waterways under its control.

I am working tirelessly to progress the next phases of the Ulster Canal.