Contract to be awarded soon for all-weather roof over Monck Street in Wexford

Wexford County Council was awarded a grant of €228,000 last year by Fáilte Ireland for the project under its Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme but will have to return to the tourist agency to seek additional funding due to increased construction costs, according to Acting Director of Services Brian Galvin.

He informed councillors that three tenders were received for the work of supplying and installing the roof and a preferred tender was identified. The Council is now preparing to award the contract and this should be done before Christmas.

Mayor of Wexford Maura Bell asked if people would see anything in place this side of Christmas and also queried whether the job has become more expensive than originally  budgeted for due to increased construction costs.

The Director said that while the contract would be awarded before Christmas, it is unlikely that the contractor will be on site before then.

He confirmed that the cost of the project has increased and as a result of this, the Council intends to go back to Fáilte Ireland to seek additional funding.

Mr Galvin told the Mayor that ongoing street enhancement works in Monck Street are expected to be substantially completed by October 21 but there has been a delay in relation to some ESB works