Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015
329. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when approval will be provided to a drainage scheme on the Clare River in County Galway, in view of the reply provided to a Parliamentary Question by this Deputy on 30 April 2015, where it stated that a decision was expected to be made on the scheme in the coming weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20127/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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) scheme for statutory approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts.
A report commissioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a required independent evaluation of the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the Scheme by the OPW is under consideration by that Department. A decision on the approval of the Scheme is expected shortly.
It is hoped that construction works could commence this Summer, with completion in 2017.
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.
