Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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208. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the long promised Clonlara flood relief scheme following the decision of Clare County Council to withdraw its plans as a result of submissions from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and an environmentalist; the implications the delay has for the commencement and completion of this urgent scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49553/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study carried out by the Office of Public Works resulted in the publication of Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP’s) for each river basin district studied under the programme. The FRMP for the Shannon river basin identified a potentially viable solution for the flooding problem in Springfield (Clonlara) comprising the construction of a flood defence embankment with floodgate and pumping and recommended that this be progressed to project-level development and assessment including necessary environmental assessment.

The Office of Public Works has approved funding to Clare County Council (CCC) for this project and the project is being progressed by the Council which is the contracting authority for the proposed works.

Following consideration of a number of submissions received as part of the project’s Part VIII planning application, it became apparent that further information and a more detailed assessment of some environmental factors were required.

Having regard to that, and to the requirement as a Local Authority to satisfactorily address all relevant environmental matters, CCC considered it appropriate to withdraw the current Part VIII application.

On completion of the necessary further assessments, including an updated cost-benefit assessment, CCC will then be in a position to prepare and submit an updated planning application at the earliest juncture.