Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
42. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the steps being taken to mitigate against flooding in counties Wexford and Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71618/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecently Storm Chandra resulted in significant and serious property damage and disruption in Enniscorthy town and surrounding areas. I visited the area and witnessed at first hand the devastation that Storm Chandra had on people, families, businesses and communities in the area.
The Office of Public Works, (OPW) in partnership with Wexford County Council continue the design of three major flood schemes in County Wexford, which together will protect 523 properties in Enniscorthy, Rosslare and Wexford Town. The OPW is funding two full-time staff in Wexford County Council.
The Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme with a total project budget of approximately €50.6m is being progressed in two phases. Phase 1 involves bridgeworks to protect 326 properties, with a planning application envisaged in Q2 2027 while Phase 2 covers non-bridge elements with tenders from consultants expected in Q1 2026 with appointment in Q2 2026.
The Wexford Flood Relief Scheme, with a project budget of €9.5m is at Stage 1 (Scheme development and Preliminary Design). Design Options are being progressed to protect 179 properties with planning permission programmed for Q3 2027, subject to completion of the necessary planning and consent processes.
The Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme with a project budget of €7.6m comprises works to address flooding on the western side of the Scheme (Burrows Road) and coastal erosion on the eastern side. Options to protect 18 properties are being finalised, with Part 10 planning application expected Q2 2027.
Flooding during and since Storm Chandra came from multiple sources, including the river and the sea. For those communities impacted by this flooding event and where a major flood relief scheme is planned but not yet completed, I have asked Wexford County Council to set out a plan of all interim measures that can help mitigate flood risk from all sources. I expect to receive these plans over the coming weeks and I will update my Government colleagues of these proposals.
Since 2009 the OPW has approved 23 projects totalling approximately €5.5m for Wexford County Council, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme including €0.5m approved in 2025 for works at Cahore. This scheme is available to fund localised measures to all communities to manage flood risk from rivers and the sea. It is also available to introduce those interim measures that can mitigate the flood risk to those communities pending completion of a major flood relief scheme. At this time the OPW is delivering major flood relief schemes to some 150 communities.
In County Cork nine flood relief schemes have been completed, with ten currently at design or construction stage. A further nine schemes referred to as Tranche II schemes have yet to commence.
Schemes completed to date include Bandon, Clonakilty, Douglas, Dunmanway, Fermoy (North and South), Mallow (North and South) and Skibbereen Flood Relief Schemes.
Schemes under construction include the Glashaboy Flood Relief scheme, due to be substantially complete in Q2 2026 and the Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project, due to be substantially complete in Q4 2026.
Bride River (Blackpool) Flood Relief Scheme has been submitted for planning and is awaiting a decision, while Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme is due to be submitted for planning in Q1 2026.
Statutory Public Exhibition for Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme is scheduled to take place this year, with planning submission scheduled for next year.
Midleton Flood Relief Scheme is due to be submitted to planning in Q3 2026. A Part 8 planning application for advance works at Tír Cluain was granted in January 2026 with construction planned to commence later this year. Following Storm Babet an Individual Property Protection Scheme funded by the OPW is being rolled out by Cork County Council.
Design stage is progressing for Bantry, Baile Mhuirne/Baile Mhic Íre, Macroom and Carrigaline Flood Relief Schemes.
Design work is yet to commence for the following Tranche 2 Flood Relief Schemes; Ballingeary, Castlemartyr, Castletown/Bearhaven, Inchigeelagh, Inishannon, Kanturk, Rathcormack, Schull and Youghal, due to constraints in availability in Ireland of specialised engineering skills.
The OPW fund nine staff in Cork County Council and one staff member in Cork City Council to project manage the delivery of flood relief schemes.
Since 2009, OPW has approved funding of circa €7.3 million under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for some 57 projects across Cork County and City.
