Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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100. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the options being considered for funding of works required to the weir at Ballincollig Regional Park; the engagement that has been had with the local authority to progress these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20492/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW), in partnership with Cork City and County Councils, is currently progressing the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme. The Steering Group for the Scheme generally meets on a monthly basis to discuss all aspects of the Scheme. The issue of Ballincollig Weir, which is in the ownership of the City Council since the boundary change between Cork County and Cork City in June, 2019, has been raised during discussions with the Steering Group. The condition of the weir, and the objectives and requirements for any works to it, will be further discussed by all parties before any decisions are taken on what works should be undertaken as part of the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of progress to complete the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18416/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme is being advanced by Clare County Council, with support and funding provided by the Office of Public Works. Ryan Hanley are the engineering consultants and the construction contract is being progressed by Ward & Burke Construction Ltd.

Construction of the works is progressing well at three discrete locations, the embankments at Clareabbey, St Flannans College, and Ballybeg.

The works at the Clareabbey area suffered a delay in 2019 due to unexpectedly poor ground conditions, which necessitated a re-design of the original proposal of an embankment, to a sheetpiled solution along the stretch of riverbank in question. The re-design has been successfully completed and works have re-commenced in this area, with the sheetpiles now in place and capped, thus providing an effective flood defence. The detailed design of the pump-station required at the southern end of the works, near the N85, has been completed, and construction works here have recently begun, with an indicated completion date of mid-June this year. The access track for future maintenance requirements has also been completed.

The works at St Flannans and Ballybeg are substantially complete, with only minor snagging remaining, and I have been informed that the new culvert overflow systems constructed at both Ballybeg and St Flannans operated very successfully during recent heavy rainfall events.

In spite of the delays incurred as a result of the redesign at Clareabbey, the OPW, Ryan Hanley and Ward and Burke have managed to meet the original programme, and the works are due to be substantially completed this summer.