As indicated in my replies to previous questions on this subject, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has submitted the proposals for the Clare River (Claregalway) flood relief scheme for statutory approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. The scheme includes flood alleviation measures in the areas referred to by the Deputy.
A report commissioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) on a required independent evaluation of the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the Scheme by the OPW is under consideration by that Department. As the Deputy is aware, before the proposed scheme can be confirmed, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (MPER) must be satisfied that the Environmental and Natura Impact Statements adequately identify, describe and assess the direct and indirect effects of the proposed scheme. This is a complex area and officials are working with relevant experts to progress the matter with a view to commencing construction works at the earliest opportunity.
Pending completion of DPER's assessment and approval of the Scheme by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, it is not possible to say when construction works will commence.
I wish to re-affirm that the OPW remains committed to carrying out the scheme, subject to the Minister's sanction, and has provided for its cost in its multi-annual capital expenditure profiles to 2017.
In relation to the estimated cost of the proposed works, as indicated in my reply to the Deputy on the 24th of March this year, the total estimated budget for the Claregalway Scheme inclusive of construction works, provision for professional fees, environmental mitigation measures and maintenance is in the region of €7.1 million, which includes the advance works already completed at Claregalway and Crusheeny Bridge at a cost of approximately €2.5 million. The proposed scheme works comprise of the following main elements:
- localised road raising at Miontach North and Miontach South;
- construction of a New Flood Eye at Claregalway Bridge (already completed), with regrading of the existing channel upstream through and downstream of the existing Claregalway Bridge;
- selective Accelerated Channel Maintenance from Lough Corrib to Cregmore Bridge (already completed);
- increase the capacity of culverts at various locations on the Kiniska and Islandmore tributaries in conjunction with channel maintenance;
- construction of a New Bridge at Crusheeny (already completed);
- construction of pipeline/open channel combination from (a) Carnmore & Cashla areas to Islandmore channel and (b) from Lakeview area to the Clare River upstream of Claregalway Bridge;
- channel widening from 1.3km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to immediately downstream of Crusheeny Bridge to form a two-stage channel;
- construction of two embankments, one locally at the Old Nine Arch Bridge to include filling of the gap in wall at Mhainistir Estate and the other from 1.3 km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to the Islandmore drain with the installation of a non-return valve on the outfall of the Islandmore drain.
