Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
101. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if approval has been given for the expenditure of funds for the Mountmellick flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10648/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s national flood policy, which includes the development of a planned programme of feasible works for flood relief schemes.
In 2018, to facilitate the development of a programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study - the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM programme resulted in the publication of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), which identified and described the flood risk in 29 river basins (including the Barrow River Basin and the town of Mountmellick) and potentially viable flood relief works.
Following completion of the CFRAM programme, a partnership between the OPW and Local Authorities throughout the country has allowed for the progression of some 100 flood relief schemes currently at design, development and construction stages. This is in addition to 56 schemes already completed.
Under the CFRAM programme Mountmellick was identified as having potentially viable flood relief works. Laois County Council (LCC) agreed, with the support of the OPW, to lead the further detailed assessment of the flood risk, design options and environmental assessments to support a planning application for a viable scheme. To progress the Mountmellick FRS, Laois County Council engaged the services of engineering consultants who carried out a very detailed and extensive analysis, environmental study and optioneering process following which a planning application was submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála on 28 October 2025 under part 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended
The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme (FRS), which has a total project budget of €20.8 million is funded under the Government commitment of €1.3 billion spend, to 2030 under the National Development Plan, to deliver flood relief schemes identified as part of the OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme.
Accordingly the OPW, under the Infrastructure Guidelines, assess the viability of schemes as they progress through the project life cycle and as such Mountmellick FRS had been given approval to proceed to planning.
Subject to planning consent, and following a period for detailed design, construction is expected to commence in Q1, 2027.
