In 1995, following representations from Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Corporation, the Office of Public works commissioned a study of the flooding in the urban area of Kilkenny City. After much investigation and consideration of a number of schemes, a preferred option was chosen in conjunction with the council and the corporation and the proposed scheme was brought to public exhibition in July 1999, as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts, based on outline design only and prior to detailed design and tenders being sought.
It was estimated at outline design that the scheme would cost €13.8 million. Following detailed design, there were some changes to the design of the riverside walls and this, as well as increased construction costs and a major increase in archaeological costs, reflecting the importance of Kilkenny as a major medieval city, meant that the cost of the project, sanctioned in June 2001 by the Department of Finance, was €34.8 million. Approximately €17 million has been spent on the scheme to date and it is expected that the full budget for the project will be spent.
The Office of Public Works is currently meeting the Environmental Protection Agency to agree the scope of testing of spoil removed from the river. It is hoped to have agreement very shortly, after which an estimate of costs will be completed.