In 2019, the Bellurgan Flood Relief Scheme was completed and is protecting 35 properties from significant flood risk.
The Office of Public Works, (OPW), is funding 6.5 staff in Louth County Council who lead the delivery of five flood relief schemes at Dundalk/Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford/ Greenore, Baltray and Ardee. The Government has committed funding to support the delivery of these flood relief schemes under the National Development Plan.
The Dundalk/Blackrock South scheme is to protect 1,880 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020. The emerging options for Blackrock were presented to the public in March 2026 and the emerging options for Dundalk were presented to the public in April 2026. The preferred options for the scheme are expected later in the year with planning consent submission in 2028. The OPW understands that Louth County Council has been working closely and constructively with Uisce Éireann on their plans and studies to ensure alignment across planning, environmental, and flood risk priorities.
The combined Drogheda and Baltray Scheme is to protect 425 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in September, 2021. Emerging Options will be presented to the public in Q3 2026 and the preferred option is expected in Q4 2026, with planning consent submission in 2027.
The OPW approved €339,480 for a viable option to protect 30 properties in Ardee. The option, identified by Louth County Council, is to be complete at the end of this year.
Louth County Council and the OPW are reviewing requirements for a brief to procure engineering and environmental consultants for the Carlingford and Greenore Scheme. In the interim the Council is assessing areas where works could improve the conveyance characteristics. The OPW approved €27,685 in April 2025 for improved conveyance works at Brown’s Lane/Newry Street that are now complete. Further funding of €924,636 was approved by OPW in March 2026 for an upgrade to the Carlingford Watercourse Culvert.
Scheme Viability Reviews have indicated that potentially viable schemes can be achieved for Annagassan and Termonfeckin and will be progressed through the next round of projects under the national programme of flood relief schemes.
Following Storm Chandra in January of this year, I met with the Chief Executive of Louth County Council to discuss interim measures that could be introduced to provide protection to those areas that were badly impacted by flooding during the Storm. Funding of some €698,000 was recently approved to Louth County Council to introduce these interim flood protection measures. This funding will be used by the Council to provide works at various locations across the county and will include measures aimed at protecting homes and businesses ahead of next winter.
Localised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and a Local Authority may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. Local Authorities may apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation and coastal protection works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Since 2009, funding of some €1.9 million has been approved for Louth County Council under this Scheme for 26 projects.
On Monday of this week, 25th May 2026, I was pleased to announce that details of the revised criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme are available, and greatly increase the scope of the Scheme to provide local authorities with a greater opportunity to address localised flood and coastal erosion risks within their administrative areas. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2m and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. Further revisions include the relaxing of some economic criteria which lowers the required threshold for viable solutions.
I also announced details of once-off funding of €50,000 to Louth County Council to remove river conveyance blockages in County Louth.
