Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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178. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the Avoca mines remediation project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2399/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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A feasibility study undertaken by my Department in 2008 developed integrated rehabilitation and management plans for the Avoca mine site, addressing human and ecological concerns, safety and physical hazards, heritage, future uses and long-term site monitoring and management.  The overall estimated cost for the works included in the 2008 study was over €50m with works envisaged to take place on a phased basis. Since the publication of the feasibility study, the Department has prioritised recommendations that addressed the most critical safety, human health and environmental concerns at the site.

To date, in excess of €5 million has been expended on remediation and monitoring costs at the site. As well as the health and safety work, environmental monitoring of the site is undertaken to ensure no significant change in conditions occurs without detection.

My Department has allocated €450,000 in 2022 to further support the monitoring and maintenance of the Avoca mines and to re-evaluate the 2008 Feasibility study to reappraise the approach to managing and restoring the site.