Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
445. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on each ongoing, and proposed, flood relief scheme in County Donegal, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9394/26]
View answerIn 2018 the Flood Risk Management Plans identified some 150 flood relief schemes are required to manage the significant risk from flooding. Since then, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction. These are in the first tranche of schemes and commencing work on the Tranche 2 schemes is constrained by the availability of specialised engineering skills for designing flood relief schemes.
Sixteen flood relief schemes were identified in County Donegal under the Flood Risk Management Plans announced in May 2018. Twelve of these projects are included in the first phase of implementation (i.e. Tranche 1) and details of these are set out under in tabular form. Killybegs, Carndonagh, Dunfanaghy, and Rathmullan are Tranche 2 schemes.
Nine of the current tranche of twelve projects are being delivered by Donegal County Council and the OPW currently fund five staff in the Council for that purpose. Two of these schemes are for Donegal Town and Letterkenny. On 2nd May 2023 the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, announced that the OPW would pilot a new delivery model through four Tranche 2 flood relief schemes, including Donegal Town and Letterkenny.
The schemes for Raphoe and Lifford are being delivered by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts. The design for the scheme in Kerrykeel is being led by the OPW with Donegal County Council to take the preferred option through planning.
Following flooding in Killybegs on the night of 23rd and into the morning of 24th November 2024 the OPW met with Donegal County Council (DCC) to review potential flood relief measures. Donegal County Council (DCC) and OPW have worked together to prepare a list of potential flood relief measures and have agreed a pilot scheme to roll out their deployment. The pilot is being 100% funded by the OPW.
Donegal County Council got approval for the first phase of works to undertake channel clearance, removal of overhanging vegetation and storm debris and to undertake an assessment of the drainage network together with supply and installation of non-return valves on DCC owned roads drainage system and drainage works.
Clearance works have now been completed, and the drainage network has been assessed on the ground. Installation of non-return valves remains under review and may require further amendments to the network prior to completion. This work will continue subject to further local assessment of both the network and resourcing.
DCC also got approval to engage consultants to undertake a Hydrological review of the CFRAM (Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management) data updating it to include the November 2024 event as well as the 2017 event (if possible) such that 2024 and 2017 return periods are estimated and design flows updated accordingly as necessary. The main output of the assessment is to prioritise short and medium term measures that could be undertaken, subject to planning consent.
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Raphoe Flood Relief Scheme The proposed flood relief scheme for Raphoe has an estimated budget of €12 million and when built, this scheme will protect 387 properties. The scheme has been submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastucture, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation under the Arterial Drainage Acts for statutory confirmation. DPER are currently making arrangements to exhibit the scheme for Public Consultation. No date has been confirmed for this yet. |
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Lifford Flood Relief Scheme The Lifford flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €17.5 million and when built, this scheme will protect 67 properties. The design of the scheme is at an advanced stage and is programmed to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in Q1 2027. |
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Castlefinn Flood Relief Scheme The Castlefinn flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €8.2 million and when built, this scheme will protect 33 properties. The design for the scheme has been identified and work is underway to submit this scheme to planning in Q2 2026. |
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Na Dúnaibh (Downings) Flood Relief Scheme The Na Dúnaibh (Downings) flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €6.5 million and when built will protect 58 properties. The design for this scheme is at an advanced stage and is due to be completed in the first part of 2026 and is programmed to be submitted for planning during the first half of 2026. |
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Glenties Flood Relief Scheme The Glenties Flood Relief scheme has an estimated budget of €0.5 million and when built it will protect 8 properties. A nature based solution (NBS) is being considered as part of the scheme's design and this option was further considered in November 2025 at the second workshop with the various stakeholders. It was essentially agreed that the Glenties Flood Relief Scheme will conclude at Stage I, which is programmed for May 2026 and that the Glenties NBS pilot study will progress as a multi-agency project. Further discussions will take place between the various stakeholders regarding this. |
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Burnfoot Flood Relief Scheme The Burnfoot Flood Relief scheme has an estimated budget of €13.6 million and when built will protect 49 properties. The option for this scheme is due to be submitted for planning consent in March 2026. |
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Ballybofey-Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme The Ballybofey-Stranorlar flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €4.4 million and when built will protect 59 properties. The process to identify a design option is progressing, with a final design expected to be identified by the end of 2026 and thereafter submitted for planning consent. |
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Buncrana Flood Relief Scheme The Buncrana flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €6.8 million and when built will protect 32 properties. Work on the design of the scheme is progressing and is expected to be completed by Q1 2027 |
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Kerrykeel Flood Relief Scheme The Kerrykeel flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €1 million and when built will protect 13 properties. OPW is currently progressing the options development, as well as numerous surveys and reports for the completion of the scheme design. Subject to a successful and timely planning process, currently it is envisaged that construction of the scheme will begin in 2027. |
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Ramelton Flood Relief Scheme The Ramelton flood relief scheme has an estimated budget of €12.1 million and when built will protect 37 properties. The design of the scheme is at an advanced stage and a final option is expected by the end of 2026. |
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Letterkenny Flood Relief Scheme Donegal County Council has been meeting with local stakeholders and assessing data requirements and availability for the Letterkenny scheme. Work has also commenced to develop the scope for data survey contracts with the aim of procuring these in 2026 |
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Donegal Town Flood Relief Scheme Donegal County Council has been meeting with local stakeholders and assessing the data requirements and availability for the Donegal Town scheme. Work has also commenced to develop the scope for data survey contracts with the aim of procuring these in 2026. |
