Written answers

Tuesday, 15 June 2021

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Office of Public Works

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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419. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the major projects that have been delayed; the planning matters that resulted in the delay; the amount unspent as a result in tabular form per note A.5 in the 2019 Annual Accounts of the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30576/21]

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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A number of flood relief projects were delayed in 2019 due to issues surrounding the planning processes as set out in Vote 13 of the 2019 Appropriation Account. While delays arising from planning processes, with an associated impact on expenditure outturn, are not uncommon, three schemes in particular were significantly delayed, which then had a notable impact on the overall outturn on the Flood Risk Management Capital expenditure profile.

Transposition of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 014/52/EU into Irish law took some time before final implementation. Once transposed through the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform was accordingly required to undertake an independent assessment of the various environmental reports for schemes submitted for consent under the Arterial Drainage Acts. Both the transposition, and the resultant requirements thereof, impacted on the time taken for consent to be given for flood relief schemes in Blackpool and Glashaboy. The anticipated start of construction works was not possible in 2019 as a result.

The Lower Morell Flood Relief Scheme, being progressed by Kildare County Council, was approved by An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development Acts in April 2018, at which point construction was expected to commence. However, a Judicial Review was instigated by a local landowner and this prevented any construction works from being undertaken in 2019.

The impacts on the outturn on the 2019 Vote from the above schemes are set out below:

Project/Programme Initial Profile Outturn (rounded) Underspend (rounded)
Glashaboy FRS €3m €0.5m €2.5m
Blackpool FRS €3m Nil €3m
Lower Morell FRS €1.7m €0.4m €1.3m

The issue on the Lower Morell Scheme was eventually resolved in 2020 and works commenced in 2020. The Glashaboy and Blackpool schemes were subsequently confirmed under the Arterial Drainage Acts earlier in 2021 and it is hoped that the Glashaboy Scheme will commence construction in the next seven months, following a tender process for a contractor. An application for Leave to take a Judicial Review of the Minister’s decision on the Blackpool scheme has just been lodged, so it is not possible to say when this scheme will be progressed.

In addition to flood relief schemes above being delayed due to planning difficulties, there were a number of other flood relief schemes where construction works were slightly delayed due to a variety of issues. These included schemes in Douglas, Co. Cork, Sandymount in Dublin and Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Expenditure on these schemes was approximately €5m behind schedule in 2019.

The application process for the Voluntary Home Relocation Scheme did not progress in line with expectations, resulting in only €0.5m of a projected €3m being spent in 2019.

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