Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
45. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on OPW planned flood relief works across County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52032/23]
View answer53. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on progress being made on flood defences in County Louth, taking into account the recent flood and near flooding in Dundalk and north Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52339/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 53 together.
To deliver the proposed measures set out in the Flood Risk Management Plans for County Louth, Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk / Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects being progressed. The funding for these schemes has been allocated under the €1.3bn investment in flood relief under the National Development Plan to 2030.
The development of flood relief schemes, overseen by project Steering Groups with representatives meeting typically monthly from the OPW and Louth County Council, involves five distinct, sequential and related stages. Aligned to the decision gateways of the Public Spending Code these are assessing the flood risk and identifying options; seeking planning consent, detailed design, construction and maintenance. Public consultation forms part of each stage and project websites, available on floodinfo.ie provides updates on each scheme’s progress.
The Dundalk/Blackrock South and Ardee projects are being progressed simultaneously and engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020. The proposed scheme will protect some 1,880 properties when completed. The scheme option for Dundalk/Blackrock South is expected in Q3 2024 and Ardee is currently at options review.
Consultants for the Drogheda and Baltray schemes were appointed in September 2021. The proposed scheme will protect some 454 properties when completed. The scheme option is expected in Q4 2024.
The OPW established a working group on Carlingford and Greenore that is focused on ensuring that all approaches for implementation are considered from a technical perspective and to propose the best method to proceed. OPW met with Louth County Council engineers on 9th October 2023 to review the work completed to date and to plan for the project going forward. This included scoping requirements and data collection. I visited Louth following the recent flooding events and saw at first hand the devastation that flooding caused in this area. Drone footage was captured and surveying of the impacted area arranged. The OPW met with Louth County Council in November to assess the flood mechanisms and damages from the event and this will help to inform the proposed scheme. The next meeting is scheduled for the end of November.
While the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme investigated possible structural flood relief measures for both Annagassan and Termonfeckin, economically viable schemes for these communities were not identified. The OPW is reviewing the flood risk in these communities.
The OPW since 2009, has approved €1.9m for 32 local flood projects under the OPW's Works Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
