Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
294. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the design for a flood relief scheme for Athy, County Kildare is progressing on schedule; if funding for the project will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11126/26]
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, planning and construction. The Government has committed funding to support the delivery of flood relief schemes under the National Development Plan to 2030.
Kildare County Council is the lead authority for the delivery of Athy Flood Relief Scheme to protect 99 properties. The OPW is funding 2 staff members in Kildare County Council to lead the delivery of flood projects across the county.
Engineering and Environmental Consultants were appointed to the Scheme in July, 2023. The development of Athy Flood Relief Scheme is overseen by a project Steering Group with representatives meeting monthly from the OPW and Kildare County Council. There are five distinct and related stages in the scheme development. Aligned to the decision gateways of the Infrastructure Guidelines these stages are assessing the flood risk and identifying options; seeking planning consent, detailed design, construction and maintenance. Public consultation forms part of the design and planning stages and the project website available on floodinfo.ie provides updates on the schemes progress.
The first public participation day event took place on the 27th February, 2024 and a second public participation day was held on the 24th July 2025 to present the emerging options for the scheme. The scheme is progressing on schedule with the next public participation day to present the Emerging Preferred Option to the public scheduled to take place in Q2 2026. Submission of the scheme to planning is scheduled for Q1 2027.
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, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €1.78 million to County Kildare for some 7 projects.
