The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk – was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. The delivery of these Plans is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan 2021–2030 (NDP).
This investment has allowed the OPW to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning, and construction to some 100 schemes. To date, 53 schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 12,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €1.9 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway.
Major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations that can impact on people's living, built and natural environment and, therefore, require lengthy planning and decision lead-in times.
The process follows a number of stages from feasibility through design, planning, detailed design and construction. It is important that the work is done correctly and achieves its objectives. Extensive and detailed technical analysis is required to establish the most appropriate solution, technically and environmentally, from a range of possible mitigation options. The solution has also to be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change.
Extensive public consultation is required at various stages to ensure that those affected by a scheme have the opportunity to input into its design and implementation. Ecological and archaeological issues often require in-depth analysis in order to ensure that the technical solution selected will meet the requirements of existing EU and national environmental legislation.
Schemes currently being delivered have been prioritised as Tranche I schemes. Also included in these active schemes are four Tranche II Pilot projects. The pilot, which I announced in May 2023, is in response to engagement between OPW and local authorities to agree a planned national approach to future schemes that matches return on investment from the available capacity in the local authorities and OPW. Consequently, a new delivery model for flood relief schemes is being piloted which will better inform the future Tranche II schemes' delivery.
There are also some 30 Small Projects currently being implemented by their respective local authorities with funding being provided by the Office of Public Works. Of these, the scheme at Westport (Cois Abhainn & Ashwood) recently completed construction.
A breakdown of all active major flood relief schemes, and their respective delivery stages, is provided in Table 1.
There are 52 schemes at early stages of development, which are described as Business Case Stage and Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. Some significant flood relief schemes at Stage I include: Enniscorthy; Limerick City & Environs; Dundalk & Ardee; and Midleton. In relation to Enniscorthy, in March 2022, the then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, made a decision to refuse the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme under Section 7E(1)(b) of the Arterial Drainage Acts. Since then, Wexford County Council, as contracting authority, has engaged consultants to review alternative options for a flood relief scheme for Enniscorthy.
There are three schemes at Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation. These schemes are Bride River (Blackpool); Lower Lee (Cork City); and Raphoe.
Once schemes receive planning permission, work can begin on the next stage, which is where the detailed design of flood relief schemes is undertaken. There are six flood relief schemes at Stage III: Detailed Design. These schemes are: Arklow (Avoca River); Crossmolina; Dublin City (River Wad); King’s Island; Morrison’s Island; and Poddle River. Pending successful construction procurement processes and planning consent, it is anticipated that a number of these schemes will commence construction in 2024.
At Stage IV: Implementation/Construction, there are currently seven major flood relief schemes, four of which are anticipated to be complete within the next 12 months. It is expected that the Dodder Phase 2 scheme will be completed before the end of 2023 and Athlone, Templemore and Springfield flood relief schemes are expected to complete in 2024.
In addition to the active flood relief schemes noted above, the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme provides funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation or coastal protection works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. This scheme provides 90% funding to local authorities to manage localised flood risk.
Information on the status of flood relief schemes and data on Minor Works is available at www.floodinfo.ie.
|
Scheme
|
County
|
Status
|
|
Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme
|
Westmeath
|
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction
|
|
Dodder Phase 2C, 2D, 2E Flood Relief Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction
|
|
Glashaboy (Glanmire / Sallybrook) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cork
|
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction
|
|
Morell River Flood Management Scheme
|
Kildare
|
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction
|
|
River Mall (Templemore) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Tipperary
|
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction
|
|
Springfield Flood Relief Scheme
|
Clare
|
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction
|
|
Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction
|
|
Arklow (Avoca River) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Wicklow
|
Stage III: Detailed Design
|
|
Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme
|
Mayo
|
Stage III: Detailed Design
|
|
Dublin City (River Wad - Phase 1B) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Stage III: Detailed Design
|
|
Kings Island Flood Relief Scheme
|
Limerick
|
Stage III: Detailed Design
|
|
Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project, Cork
|
Cork
|
Stage III: Detailed Design
|
|
Poddle River Flood Alleviation Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Stage III: Detailed Design
|
|
Bride River (Blackpool) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cork
|
Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation
|
|
Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cork
|
Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation
|
|
Raphoe Flood Relief Scheme
|
Donegal
|
Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation
|
|
Adare Flood Relief Scheme
|
Limerick
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Athy Flood Relief Scheme
|
Kildare
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Ballina Flood Relief Scheme
|
Mayo
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme
|
Galway
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Ballybofey - Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme
|
Donegal
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Ballymakeery/Ballyvourney Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cork
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Baltray Flood Relief Scheme
|
Louth
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Bantry Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cork
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Buncrana - Luddan Flood Relief Scheme
|
Donegal
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Burnfoot Flood Relief Scheme
|
Donegal
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Camac River Flood Alleviation Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Carrick on Shannon Flood Relief Scheme
|
Leitrim
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Castleconnell Flood Relief Scheme
|
Limerick
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Castlefinn Flood Relief Scheme
|
Donegal
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Cavan Town Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cavan
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Dodder Phase 3 (Clonskeagh Road Bridge to Orwell Road Bridge) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Drogheda Flood Relief Scheme
|
Louth, Meath
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Dundalk and Ardee Flood Relief Schemes
|
Louth
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme
|
Wexford
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Galway City Flood Relief Scheme
|
Galway
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme
|
Kilkenny
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme
|
Kerry
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Kilkee Flood Relief Scheme
|
Clare
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Lifford Flood Relief Scheme
|
Donegal
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Limerick City & Environs Flood Relief Scheme
|
Limerick
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Loughlinstown Flood Relief Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Marlfield Lake Flood Relief Scheme
|
Tipperary
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Midleton Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cork
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme
|
Laois
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Naas Flood Relief Scheme
|
Kildare
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Portarlington Flood Relief Scheme
|
Laois
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Ramelton Flood Relief Scheme
|
Donegal
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Rosslare, Co, Wexford
|
Wexford
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Shannon Town and Environs Flood Relief Scheme
|
Clare
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
South Galway (Gort Lowlands) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Galway
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Tralee Flood Relief Scheme
|
Kerry
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Wexford Flood Relief Scheme
|
Wexford
|
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
|
|
Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cork
|
Business Case
|
|
Carlingford & Greenore Flood Relief Scheme
|
Louth
|
Business Case
|
|
Carrigaline Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cork
|
Business Case
|
|
Donegal Town Flood Relief Scheme
|
Donegal
|
Business Case
|
|
Freshford Flood Relief Scheme
|
Kilkenny
|
Business Case
|
|
Letterkenny Flood Relief Scheme
|
Donegal
|
Business Case
|
|
Lough Funshinagh Flood Relief Scheme
|
Roscommon
|
Business Case
|
|
Macroom Flood Relief Scheme
|
Cork
|
Business Case
|
|
Malahide Flood Relief Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Business Case
|
|
Nenagh Flood Relief Scheme
|
Tipperary
|
Business Case
|
|
Piltown Flood Relief Scheme
|
Kilkenny
|
Business Case
|
|
Portmarnock (Strand Road) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Business Case
|
|
Sandymount (Phase 1 & 2) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Business Case
|
|
Sandymount (Phase 2) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Business Case
|
|
Skerries (Mill Stream) Flood Relief Scheme
|
Dublin
|
Business Case
|
