Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of flood defence projects that were initiated in 2017; the money spent on each project; the projected amount to be spent on each project; the projected timeframe for the completion of each project; the projects that have been delayed; the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2488/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has an existing capital programme of major flood relief schemes which includes eight schemes currently at construction, eight further schemes to be advanced to construction in 2018 and 18 additional schemes at various stages of design/planning. Work is also ongoing on 10 schemes which are completed/substantially completed and operational but which have some small minor additional works to be completed or where ongoing administration issues remain to be resolved.

Flood relief schemes are advanced by the OPW or by relevant Local Authorities with OPW providing funding for the schemes while also providing technical support. Three schemes commenced construction in 2017 and the details of these are set out below.

OPW had hoped that construction works would commence at Blackpool (Cork), Clonakilty and the first phase of the Lower Lee Scheme at Morrison's Island in Cork in 2017 along with the Ennis South scheme in County Clare, but delays in finalising the detailed design and some procurement and contractual issues meant that it was not possible to commence these four projects in 2017. However, they will be commenced in 2018 along with projects at Douglas and Glanmire in County Cork, the Lower Morrell River Scheme in County Kildare and Sandymount in Dublin.

In addition to the major flood relief projects as above, Local Authorities would have initiated localised minor works schemes either funded from their own resources or, more usually, with funding provided by the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. In 2017 funding was approved by the OPW under the Minor Works scheme to local authorities for 60 minor works projects throughout the country. Details of those projects are provided on the OPW website www.opw.ie. The progression of those projects is a matter for the relevant local authorities.