James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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214. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Enniscorthy flood defence scheme will be addressed over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9795/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with Wexford County Council. Consultants Mott Mc Donald are leading on the design of the flood defences element with Roughan O’Donovan commissioned to design the proposed new road bridge. Initial site investigations have been completed, along with archaeological and ecological assessments and reports. An advance programme to control and eradicate invasive species of vegetation is currently underway. Further advance construction elements which involve relocation of services and utilities along the Promenade is expected to commence in 2018.

It is proposed that a month-long public information event will take place in Enniscorthy in early Summer at which the scheme design and Environmental Impact Assessment Report and other relevant reports will be made available to the public. This event will be advertised and all stakeholders will be notified in advance. Following this event, comments received will be assessed, and designs may be amended as a result. Subsequently, formal Confirmation or approval for the scheme will be sought from the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, with construction expected to start in mid to late 2019.