Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
97. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Expenditure to provide a progress update on the Longford flood relief scheme, including stage of design or planning; the expected date for commencement of physical works; the projected completion date; and to provide an explanation if works have not yet commenced despite past flood events. [10604/26]
View answerThrough the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme, (CFRAM), the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), in 2018. Since 2018, and working with local authorities, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction. The Government has committed funding to support the delivery of flood relief schemes under the National Development Plan to 2030.
The CFRAM plans included a recommendation for a flood relief scheme at Longford Town which would involve construction of a 30m new flood defence wall and removal of the existing footbridge on the Camlin River upstream of the N63 Bridge, protecting 17 properties when completed.
A further Flood Relief Design Study for the Mall in Longford Town was completed in 2020, funded through the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This study recommended a series of flood relief measures including demountable barriers, maintenance and re-profiling of drainage ditches, a pumping system for surface water drainage network and building flood resilience measures.
Longford County Council in collaboration with the OPW are developing a consultant’s brief for the development, planning and design of the scheme. As part of the development of the consultant’s brief, the OPW are currently undertaking a review of the existing hydraulic modelling to further examine the flood risk on the Ardnacassagh Stream in Longford Town.
The review of the hydraulic modelling is scheduled to be complete in Q2 2026 and it is intended to procure a consultant in Q3 2026. Following this procurement process it is expected that a consultant could be appointed to the scheme in Q4 2026.
Once consultants are appointed consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the general public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the proposals within the scheme. Depending on the consultants programme it is envisioned that options for the scheme could be available by Q1 2028.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the OPW in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The OPW expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria and details for the scheme shortly, including an increase in the funding limits for each project from €750,000 to €2m.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €924,441 in funding under this scheme to Longford County Council for some 25 projects.
