I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 220 to 222, inclusive, together.
The current position on these flood relief schemes is set out in the table below.
Scheme
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Current Status
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Arklow
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Wicklow County Council is progressing flood protection measures for the town of Arklow with funding provided by the Office of Public Works. Consultants have been commissioned to undertake engineering and environmental studies and to assess and develop a viable, cost-effective and sustainable flood relief scheme for the Avoca River. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report is currently being prepared and once completed an application for planning permission will be sought from An Bord Pleanála.
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Enniscorthy
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Wexford County Council is progressing flood protection measures for the town of Enniscorthy with funding provided by the Office of Public Works. It is expected that a formal Exhibition of the proposed scheme will be held in late March/early April 2019. Following this and presuming general public acceptance of the scheme proposals, formal Confirmation to proceed with the scheme will be sought from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, with construction commencing probably in early 2020.
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Skibbereen
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The Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme is under construction and is expected to be completed in mid 2019.
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Bandon
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The Bandon Flood Relief Scheme is under construction and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2019.
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The funding required for the completion and/or further progression of the projects concerned will not be impacted by the cost overrun on the National Children's Hospital.
The Government is committed to delivering Project Ireland 2040 within the overall multi-year resource envelope that has been set out. For 2019, the capital allocation has increased by €1,325 million or just over 22% above the 2018 allocation as stated in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2019. With regard to implications arising from the National Children’s Hospital project, the Government is currently considering how the additional cost pressures will be accommodated within the multi-year envelope, with a minimum of disruption to the planned rollout and delivery of important infrastructure projects under Project Ireland 2040, which I am pleased to report are proceeding at a strong rate.