Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
81. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his Department’s plans and timelines to develop flood defence embankments on the Lower Shannon River (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51536/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans, included a recommendation to progress a flood relief scheme for Limerick City and Environs.
Limerick City and County Council is leading the delivery of the Limerick City and Environs Flood Relief Scheme, with staff managing this project funded by the OPW. The Scheme commenced in May 2021 and is currently at Stage 1, Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. A Project Steering Group, comprising representatives from Limerick City and County Council, as Contracting Authority, and the Office of Public Works, meets monthly to progress the Scheme.
Optioneering for all potential technically viable design options is at an advanced stage. The emerging options will be taken forward to a public consultation day in the coming months. The views from this consultation will help to inform a preferred option that will be subject to a further public consultation.
The optioneering for this flood relief scheme includes design for flood defences in the Westbury and Shannon Banks housing estates.
When a design option that is technically, environmentally and economically viable is identified planning consent will be sought by Limerick City and County Council from An Coimisiún Pleanála. At this time a request for planning consent will be made in 2028 and subject to consent being received, construction is due to to commence in 2030. The scheme will take some 4 years to complete construction.
On 25th May 2026, I was pleased to announce revised criteria details for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme that greatly increases the scope of the Scheme. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2 million and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. I have also expanded the Scheme to provide for interim flood mitigation measures for communities where a major flood relief scheme is planned, but not complete. Further revisions include the relaxing of some economic criteria.
