John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood protection scheme for the Avoca River in Arklow; when the scheme will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31790/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Wicklow County Council (WCC) is leading the assessment and development of a viable, cost effective and sustainable Flood Relief Scheme for the Avoca River, Arklow which will be funded by the Office of Public Works (OPW).  Engineering and Environmental consultants are working to advance the detailed design of the scheme.  The process of identifying a preferred scheme includes a detailed assessment of a range of flood risk management measures to determine their technical, economic, social and environmental viability.

Consultation with the public and key stakeholders has taken place. Three public information days have been held where the proposals for the preferred scheme have been made available for examination, review and feedback from members of the public and the views of the public have been taken on board where practical.

The main elements of the preferred scheme consist of flood defence walls, upstream and downstream dredging, lowering of the floor, underpinning and scour protection at Arklow Bridge, new flood embankment on north side and upstream of Arklow Bridge and widening of the river channel downstream of Arklow Bridge

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report is currently being finalised and WCC aim to submit the proposed scheme to An Bórd Pleanála for planning permission by the end of 2018.

The timeline for progression of the proposed Scheme to construction will depend on planning but it is hoped to be in a position to commence works by the first quarter of 2020.