Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
94. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the flood relief projects currently under construction and funded by OPW; when each of those projects will be completed, in tabular form. [15335/26]
View answerTo establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State in 2018. The OPW Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the local authorities. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect over 95% of that risk.
A series of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans were launched in May 2018 by the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and An Taoiseach, providing the evidence base for some 150 new and additional flood relief schemes. These plans are available on www.floodinfo.ie.
The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities throughout the country, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning or construction to some 100 schemes at this time.
Nationally, 56 schemes have been completed to date, which are providing protection to some 13,580 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway.
There are currently ten major flood relief projects at Stage IV: Implementation / Construction. The below table provides the approximate timelines for each project reaching substantial completion.
|
Scheme |
County |
Status |
Substantial Completion |
|
Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Westmeath |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q3 2026 |
|
Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme |
Mayo |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q4 2028 |
|
Dublin City (River Wad - Phase 1B) Flood Relief Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q1 2026 |
|
Glashaboy (Glanmire / Sallybrook) Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q2 2026 |
|
King's Island Flood Relief Scheme |
Limerick |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q4 2026 |
|
Morell River Flood Management Scheme |
Kildare |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q3 2026 |
|
Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project, Cork |
Cork |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q4 2026 |
|
Poddle River Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q2 2027 |
|
River Mall (Templemore) Flood Relief Scheme |
Tipperary |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q1 2026 |
|
Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q4 2026 |
