Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
52. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to accelerate flood relief schemes in Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10559/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the status of the catchment and flood risk management plan under CFRAM for County Louth; the progress on the implementation of same that has been made to date; the short-term or interim plans there are to deal with flooding in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9942/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 90 together.
In 2019, the Bellurgan Flood Relief Scheme was completed and is protecting 35 properties from significant flood risk.
Through the agreed delivery model, and with Office of Public Works, (OPW), funding for 6.5 staff, Louth County Council is leading 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 flood relief schemes under the National Development Plan to 2030.
The Dundalk/Blackrock South scheme is to protect 1,880 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020. The consultant is currently working on development of options for the scheme with emerging options expected in Spring 2026. A public consultation day will be scheduled when the emerging options are available. The preferred options for the scheme are expected in Q4 2026.
The combined Drogheda and Baltray Scheme is to protect 425 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in September, 2021. The scope of the area for the scheme was recently extended and the consultant had to undertake further modelling work. Emerging Options for the scheme will be presented to the public in Q2 2026 and the preferred option is expected in Q4 2026.
Funding of €339,480 for a viable option, identified by Louth County Council, for Ardee to protect some 30 properties, was approved by the OPW in July 2025. These works are being progressed by Louth County Council who advise that these works are to be complete by Q4 2026.
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 April 2025, the OPW approved funding of €27,685 to Louth County Council for works at (Brown’s Lane/Newry Street). This work is now completed and will increase water conveyance capacity and reduce surface water flooding along the lane.
In the interim Louth County Council is assessing areas where works could improve the conveyance characteristics of the Carlingford drainage system and have submitted an application for funding for the proposed works which is currently under consideration by the OPW.
Louth County Council is actively evaluating potential interim measures which, subject to environmental and planning considerations, may be advanced separately from the main schemes to provide earlier flood-risk mitigation to affected communities.
The Scheme Viability Reviews (SVRs) for Annagassan and Termonfeckin have indicated that potentially viable Flood Relief Schemes have been identified. The OPW is piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes through four Tranche II schemes in counties Kilkenny and Donegal, which is referred to as the Tranche II Pilot.
The Tranche II Pilot will transfer the management of data gathering, as a first step in designing a scheme, from consultant engineers for a single scheme to the local authorities for all schemes in the Pilot and, where feasible, within their areas of responsibility. The Pilot means that data gathering may be scaled up from individual communities to all schemes in a county. The Pilot will better inform the prioritisation of future schemes nationally and the scope of services required from consultants to design and construct flood relief schemes.
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, funding of some €1.9 million has been approved for Louth County Council under this Scheme, for 26 projects.
