Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Clare County Council (CCC) is the contracting authority in relation to the proposed flood relief scheme in Springfield/Clonlara, with funding provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW). The current position is as follows:

CCC have been in contact with land owners affected by the proposals and has consulted with local residents and relevant statutory bodies. The Council submitted the proposed works for planning permission, which was granted by An Bord Pleanala in November 2020. Since then detailed design and further survey work have been ongoing and are now substantially complete. It was recently identified by the scheme consultants Byrne Looby & Associates that some final additional Ground Investigations were required prior to construction commencing. Contractors have carried out trial holes and ground investigation work, and the results of these were assessed by a specialist Consultant Hydrogeologist. Following that review, a draft Hydrogeology Report on the groundwater flows in Springfield has now been completed, the findings of which are currently being considered by the Scheme Consultants Byrne Looby. A recommendations report from Byrne Looby is currently awaited on progression of the scheme based on the Hydrogeologists Report.

Clare County Council and the OPW are extremely disappointed that this delay has occurred but are committed to finding a solution which will allow us to move forward at the earliest juncture. It is proposed to carry out the construction works using OPW direct labour.