Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
311. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the cost of the flood defence system installed in Skibbereen, County Cork; if a copy of the Natura 2000 impact statement completed in respect of the project will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24182/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme commenced in 2011 when Cork County Council, supported with funding from the Office of Public Works, appointed consultants to develop proposals to deal with the flood risk that existed in the town. Following extensive engineering and environmental analysis, public consultation, and a formal Public Exhibition, a scheme was formally approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform in January, 2016, and construction works commenced in mid 2016 following a tender process for the appointment of a contractor. The scheme is now substantially complete and, to date, total expenditure on the Scheme is approximately €32.2m with an expected final whole life cost of close to €38m, with the cost of ongoing maintenance factored into the figures.
An Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Report was carried out on the project during the development of the scheme pursuant to Regulation 42 of S.I. No. 477/2011 (European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011), which concluded that there would be no threat to the integrity of European Designated (Natura 2000) sites and so an Appropriate Assessment was not undertaken. The Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform carried out an independent environmental review of the scheme and subsequently confirmed the Scheme under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts. The AA Screening Report associated with the Scheme is available on the Scheme website at www.skibbereenfrs.ie.
