Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
419. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will expedite the Thomastown flood relief scheme in County Kerry; when works will commence; the estimated timeframe for the proposed works to be completed; the estimated cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3574/26]
View answer420. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will expedite the Graiguenamanagh flood relief scheme in County Kilkenny; when works will commence; the estimated timeframe for the proposed works to be completed; the estimated cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3575/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together.
The Government is investing some €97 million in flood relief schemes completed and underway across County Kilkenny. Kilkenny County Council is leading the delivery of four flood relief schemes for Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch, Ballyhale, Piltown, and Freshford in the first tranche of schemes and piloting a new national delivery model. The OPW is funding two staff in Kilkenny County Council to project manage the delivery of these schemes.
Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch FRS
The Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme commenced in March 2020. Ayesa (formerly Byrne Looby) were appointed as the engineering and environmental consultants. The Graiguenamagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme was submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála on the 12th December, 2025 for planning consent.
The flood relief scheme will include raised defences on the River Barrow along with raised defences and an upstream storage area on the River Duiske to prevent flooding. Where possible, new flood defence walls will replace existing walls throughout the scheme. These defences will protect properties from the 1% AEP (100 year) fluvial flood event. A total of 84 properties will be protected 31 Residential and 53 Commercial properties.
It is currently programmed to commence construction at the end of 2027 and it is expected to take two years to complete. The estimated total project budget for this flood relief scheme is €21.5 million.
Thomastown FRS
While the proposed schemes in Thomastown and Inistioge are not in the first tranche of some 100 flood relief schemes being progressed, the OPW continues to liaise closely with Kilkenny County Council to ensure that the programme of flood relief projects identified for Co. Kilkenny is kept under review, and that all projects will be commenced as soon as possible.
The OPW is currently trialling a new national delivery model for flood relief schemes towards a more efficient means of delivering all 50 schemes in the second tranche of schemes, including Thomastown and Inistioge. The pilot includes Kilkenny County Council trialling a new delivery model for Piltown and Freshford.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM) proposed measure for Thomastown consists of building hard defences, embankments and walls set back, where possible, from the river channel. When complete the scheme will protect approximately 48 residential properties and 87 commercial properties. The CFRAM cost estimate is €12.7 million.
In the interim, it is open to Kilkenny County Council to make an application to the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to provide flood mitigation measures for Thomastown.
