Vol. 518 No. 1
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she expects the £100,000 allocated under the Structural Funds, 1994-99, for works on waterways in Galway, including the Parkavera Lock, to be expended in 2000; the reasons for the delay in the expenditure of moneys allocated; and if she will give details of the work programme. [10912/00]
The works at Parkavera Lock, Galway, estimated to cost £100,000, will be completed by the end of September 2000. The Deputy will be aware that Parkavera Lock comes under the control of the Corrib navigation trustees. As the canal was not within my jurisdiction, it was decided to carry out the scheme using the Office of Public Works, which, as project manager, has powers to carry out such works.
Following detailed discussion between the parties, the trustees endorsed the enhancement scheme in June 1999 and they obtained planning permission for same in December 1999. Detailed structural design is being carried out by Office of Public Works and shortly the tenders will be invited for the works involved.
Would I be right in thinking that the discussions between the Office of Public Works, Galway Corporation and the Corrib navigation trustees took place as far back as 1997? Would I be correct also in stating that the Corrib navigation trustees indicated their assent almost two years ago? As the Minister of State indicated that the work was expected to be finished initially before the end of 1998 and then in 1999, what confidence can we have that the work will be completed by September 2000?
The meeting between the Office of Public Works architect, my Department and one of the trustees who is also an engineer took place on 17 June 1998. The final agreement on the elements of the scheme was reached on 22 June 1998. A drawing and sketch of the proposed works was forwarded to the trustees on 24 February 1999 for their informal approval and agreement to secure the necessary planning permission and to bear any maintenance cost associated with the proposal. The trustees formally endorsed the proposals and conditions in June 1999. Drawings for planning permission and submission were forwarded to the trustees and permission was applied for in September 1999. Final grant of permission was received on 17 December 1999.
The present position is that the structural design section of the Office of Public Works is carrying out detailed design work. The tenders will be invited shortly to fabricate the various elements, supply materials and carry out the work. After sourcing the materials, six to eight weeks will be required for fabrication. Thereafter, a further four to five weeks will be required for on-site work. It is expected that the work will be completed by September 2000.
I am grateful to the Minister for that detailed information. I am sure she will agree with me that it is a pity that work like this, which is so welcome, must move so slowly. Can she confirm that the funding of £100,000 is secure, given that it was initially allocated out of the Structural Funds for the period 1994 to 1999?
The Parkavera Lock was but part of the general scheme, as designed. The original design, as I understand it, included, for example, an examination of the stonework of the canal and the recovery of the stones and their replacement in the canal beyond the lock. Can she confirm that this stonework will be part of the tender?
I am sure the Deputy will understand that any delays were certainly not due to my Department, that this necessitated consultation and work done by other elements, including the Office of Public Works, because this did not fall within the jurisdiction of my Department. That is why the Office of Public Works, as project manager, had the powers to carry out such works on behalf of my Department.
The work is going ahead and, therefore, the £100,000 is available to the project. I do not have the detail on the Deputy's second question but I can find out that information for the Deputy and I will make him aware of it.
