Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

262 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the original cost of the River Nore flood relief scheme; the cost of the scheme to date; the expected outturn; the cost of the investigation into the contaminated spoil taken from the river; his views on the breakdown in communication between the Office of Public Works and the local authority; if he will attend a meeting of the local authority to answer the questions raised regarding the current crisis and attempt to restore public confidence in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4552/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon):

In 1995, following representations from Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Corporation, the Office of Public works commissioned a study of the flooding in the urban area of Kilkenny City. After much investigation and consideration of a number of schemes, a preferred option was chosen in conjunction with the council and the corporation and the proposed scheme was brought to public exhibition in July 1999, as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts, based on outline design only and prior to detailed design and tenders being sought.

It was estimated at outline design that the scheme would cost €13.8 million. Following detailed design, there were some changes to the design of the riverside walls and this, as well as increased construction costs and a major increase in archaeological costs, reflecting the importance of Kilkenny as a major medieval city, meant that the cost of the project, sanctioned in June 2001 by the Department of Finance, was €34.8 million. Approximately €17 million has been spent on the scheme to date and it is expected that the full budget for the project will be spent.

The Office of Public Works is currently meeting the Environmental Protection Agency to agree the scope of testing of spoil removed from the river. It is hoped to have agreement very shortly, after which an estimate of costs will be completed.

Since the start of the works in August 2001, a major effort has been made to ensure there would be a good line of communication between Office of Public Works and the local authorities. A steering committee, consisting of members of Office of Public Works, Mott McDonald EPO Limited (Consulting Engineers), Kilkenny City Council, Kilkenny County Council, the Central Fisheries Board, Margaret Gowen & Co. Limited, archaeological firm on site, and Dúchas, was put in place once construction commenced. The committee first met on 20 September 2001 and meets on a regular basis since, at least once a month and sometimes more often. At each meeting the parties present are updated on progress and areas of concern.

Both Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny City Council are represented on the steering committee by their respective senior engineers and the minutes of each meeting are circulated to both local authorities. The steering committee provides an effective methodology for exchange of information and reporting on the progress of the scheme. The steering committee provides a two-way communication channel whereby the local authority representatives on the steering committee can keep their respective councils up to date with progress and developments on the scheme, as discussed at the steering committee, and can raise at the steering committee any concerns, information requests, queries, etc. which the councils may have.

However, as the local authorities felt they needed additional knowledge of current issues and upcoming schedules, it was agreed that a progress report would be provided to the councils with an information update on the progress of the works associated with the scheme. It is also intended that activities scheduled for the coming months would be included. The report will continue to be produced on a regular basis for the duration of the works until completion in 2004. The report may also be published on the Office of Public Works website. The initial report is due to be presented to the county manager and city mayor in the next couple of weeks.

As the Deputy is aware, I met with members of Kilkenny City Council and Kilkenny County Council and the county manager and his officials yesterday in Kilkenny to hear their concerns in relation to the scheme. I am committed to improving communications and exchange of information and my officials will be putting systems in place immediately to do so. I know the county manager is equally committed to improving communications about the scheme and will be working with Office of Public Works to do so.