Written answers

Wednesday, 4 May 2022

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Road Projects

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

121. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the new Shannon crossing at Ballina, Killaloe; the reason that this key infrastructure project has not yet commenced; when works will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21941/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants.

The Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and the R494 improvement scheme is one of the limited number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes being undertaken under the National Development Plan. Clare County Council is the contracting authority for the scheme.

Ministerial approval to award the public works contract for the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and the R494 improvement scheme was given in December 2021 and following the conclusion of the due diligence process Clare County Council issued the Letter of Acceptance to the successful tenderer in February 2022 with an expected start date in March 2022.

As the Deputy is aware the construction industry is currently experiencing significant inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints. These factors have implications for progress on construction projects, including the Shannon Crossing/Killaloe Bypass/R494 upgrade scheme, while the industry takes stock of the options available to them and the consequences of any decisions taken. In this context the scheme Project Team are actively engaged with the contractor regarding the issues affecting the commencement of the scheme.

As regards the overall position regarding the impact of construction inflation on public works contracts, as the Deputy will be aware, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which operates as an office of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is responsible for implementing national policy on public procurement, particularly in relation to construction procurement. I understand that the Minister for Public Expenditure is considering options at present with regard to the impact of construction inflation on public works contracts.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.