Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
454. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if an individual protection plan or any financial assistance could be granted towards the significant flood defence costs for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30017/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEngineering and Environmental consultants were appointed in May of 2022 to deliver a flood relief scheme for Kenmare. The Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme will protect 235 properties. As part of the optioneering process, the consultant has carried out options assessment and has identified 6 fluvial options and 3 coastal options. Emerging design options will be brought to the public for their views in the coming months and the preferred scheme is scheduled to be submitted for planning consent in Q4 2027.
The design standard of protection for the scheme will be 1% AEP fluvial event (1 in 100 year) and 0.5% AEP tidal event (1 in 200 year).
I saw first-hand the property you refer to when I visited in November, 2025 shortly after the flood event that had occurred. At the time, the property owner advised that they had made many endeavours over the years to remediate against flood damage.
In advance of the Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme riverbank erosion works were carried out and this work has proven to be successful in preventing further erosion in that area.
Pending the completion of the Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme, it is open to the local authority to provide interim measures to mitigate flood risk. The Council can use their own resources or can apply to the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for funding for these works. The criteria for this scheme are available on the OPW's website. I will shortly be announcing an expansion to the scope of this scheme's criteria, including increasing the threshold from €750,000 to €2m.
