Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
60. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the Clifden flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27489/26]
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.
As part of CFRAM a potential flood relief scheme was recommended for Clifden, Co. Galway. The OPW engaged with Galway County Council and confirmed that the OPW would fund the costs of developing and implementing a scheme to alleviate flooding in Clifden, through the Government’s investment in flood measures under the National Development Plan.
Galway County Council, is the lead authority for the Clifden Flood Relief Scheme, with funding from the OPW, for one full time Engineer. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed to the scheme in 2021.
The final Options Report for a flood relief scheme to manage the flood risk for some 24 properties has been delivered by the consultant. The OPW and Galway County Council have met twice this year to review the report and will meet with the scheme's consultants shortly to inform next steps, including on progressing a viable option for the Clifden Flood Relief Scheme to planning. This is being informed by engineering, environmental, social and economic criteria, that includes a calculation of the scheme's benefit cost ratio. A programme for the delivery of the scheme to planning will be available from the consultants following this meeting.
In the interim it is open to Galway County Council to make an application for funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding.
Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €12 million to County Galway for some 244 projects.
