The Minister of State for the OPW insists problems which have arisen with the tendering of the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme could not have been avoided.
The €8.6 million Scheme now won’t get underway until Spring of 2019, though it was due to begin this summer.
It’s now expected to be next spring before construction begins on flood protection works for over 120 homes and properties in the South of Ennis.
Many of these areas were badly hit by floods, including in 2009, and some haven’t been able to get home insurance as a result.
News of the latest delay emerged yesterday, after contractual issues were identified by the firm who had initially been appointed to construct it.
They’ve withdrawn their tender, and the process must now begin again.
Speaking in the Dáil, Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey told Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran that it’s simply not good enough.
However, Deputy Moran has defended both his and the Office of Public Works’ handling of the situation.
He’s backed Clare County Council’s actions, saying they acted on legal advice, and insisted that his Department remains committed to funding the project.
The delay is the latest setback in the scheme which now has a new completion date of October 2020.
Minister of State Moran insists it’s being dealt with appropriately.
