Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of works at Ardara bridge, Cadamstown, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6950/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Ardara Bridge at Cadamstown has been in very poor condition for many years, mainly attributable to factors such as the effects of water and invasive tree growth. Since 2007, considerable conservation work has been undertaken to save the bridge from collapse. The project has been phased to ensure that the work proceeds in a logical fashion recognising the need to address elements sequentially and to ensure that the necessary resources are in place to complete each individual task. The project has been technically very challenging and hampered by the extremely fragile nature of the structure. Over a number of seasons, high water levels in the river has made conditions for workers hazardous.

There is a serious historic collapse of the bridge on the downstream side and this is where attention is focussed currently. The OPW is at present working on a design solution for this collapse and it is intended that this part of the project will continue for much of the year. Once complete, this proposal will have to be submitted for the Consent of the Minister for Culture, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the National Monuments Acts. It is not expected that works will be on site until next year.