Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
426. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update with regard to planned flood relief schemes (details supplied) in County Cork; the commencement and completion dates for each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31500/15]
View answerIn relation to the Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme, a preferred scheme design option was presented at a statutory Public Exhibition which took place from 15th December 2014 to 20th January 2015. Members of the Public were invited to submit observations on the preferred option by 20th February 2015. All the observations received from concerned parties have been considered and the public consultation process is currently being finalised.
It is hoped to commence detailed design of the Scheme shortly. This will be followed by a procurement process for a civil works contractor and the formal Confirmation of the Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts. Again subject to successful completion of the tender and Confirmation processes, it is hoped that construction will start in 2016. The construction programme is expected to take up to 24 months to complete.
The position with regard to the Bandon Flood Relief Scheme is that the second stage of a tender competition for a civil works contractor is underway with tender documentation to be issued to the short-listed candidates imminently. At the same time the Scheme will be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (PER) for formal Confirmation of the Scheme as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. The Minister will be required to undertake an independent review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to ensure that all legislative requirements have been complied with before the Scheme can be approved. It is hoped that the EIS review process should be completed by the Minister for PER in early 2016 which will allow the appointment of a works contractor at the same time.
The Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme has already been submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for Confirmation and is also subject to an independent review of the EIS. Cork County Council is the Contracting Authority for the Skibbereen Scheme and the Council has already undertaken a procurement process for a civil works contractor. Approval for the contractor appointment by the OPW as the sponsoring and funding agent must await the formal Confirmation of the Scheme by the Minister. It is hoped that this process will be completed later this year or early 2016 which will allow the Scheme to be commenced. It is expected that both the Bandon and Skibbereen Schemes will take in the region of two years to complete.
The Government remains fully committed to the provision of flood relief schemes for the people of Bandon, Skibbereen and Clonakilty and the OPW has made provision for the cost of implementing these schemes in its financial profiles over the years 2015-2018.
