Kevin Boxer Moran
Longford-Westmeath · Independent · Ireland
“I understand the Deputy's frustration and that of the people in the Gort lowlands. This is a very complex scheme. It is one of the most complex we have in the country. When we talk about swallow holes, turloughs and underground water, it is very complex. That is why we have the experts in the field working on this.”
“There has been a significant amount of public and stakeholder consultation for the scheme and Galway County Council and the OPW are presenting the emerging preferred option. The scheme, when completed, is expected to provide protection to 115 properties: 50 residential and 65 commercial.”
“This is a complex scheme but as the Deputy is aware, I made changes to the minor works scheme to allow local authorities to look at measures to facilitate them and the funding is there in that regard. That could be looked at.”
“I thank the Deputy for his kind words. The OPW does good work right across the region and particularly in his constituency, as he has outlined. I get asked to take over this castle or this monument every day of the week, and I do not have an endless pot to do that.”
“The Office of Public Works, OPW, and Galway County Council are working together on the development of the south Galway, Gort lowlands, flood relief scheme with Galway County Council acting as the lead authority.”
“It is not always the case that the OPW is delaying it; we are not. We are working collectively with Galway County Council in this case and with the people. We have had a number of consultations and I will continue to engage with the Deputy and others. I have been invited down to a meeting there shortly.”
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“In the longer term, however, a full refinish of the exterior is required, along with repair works to prevent this wear and tear. This is a large works project that will necessitate full scaffolding being erected around the building. However, there is a short seasonal window, along with weather conditions, in which the lime harling finish can be applied and these works are not expected to take place until 2027. Funds have been allocated to undertake this project, with a senior architect assigned to oversee the design and completion.”
“As the Deputy has noted, the exterior of the castle is showing signs of wear and tear. The exterior of Rathfarnham Castle is finished with a substance called lime harling, which was last renewed in 2010. This would normally be expected to last many decades, so detailed assessments have taken place to understand the cause of the wear and tear. To address the issue in the short term, a sample of the north facade was cleaned in June 2024 to assess whether cleaning the facade was feasible and would be of benefit to the building. Cleaning and repair works are being progressed after a completed sample proved effective. This is a preventative measure to maximise the lifespan of the existing wet dash and lime finish. This will improve the appearance of the castle.”
“I thank the Deputy. Rathfarnham Castle was built in 1583 and throughout its long and rich history has been owned by Archbishop Adam Loftus, the founder of Trinity College; Speaker Conolly; and the Jesuit Order. The castle is one of Ireland's oldest Elizabethan houses. For most of the 20th century, the castle was owned and occupied by the Jesuits. It was declared a national monument and purchased by the State in 1987. The OPW is responsible for the care and management of Rathfarnham Castle while the lands are managed by South Dublin County Council. Since 1987, the OPW has undertaken an extensive programme of conservation and restoration to secure the historic fabric of the building and has also undertaken works to improve access to the building with the installation of a lift and ramps.”
“I gave a detailed response earlier, but I fully appreciate and understand clearly where the Deputy is coming from. As I said to Deputy McCarthy, this is an area I am looking at. Ministers and Ministers of State have visited the area, including me. I know how important tranche 2 is, but I also know how important tranche 1 is. There are the bigger schemes we are delivering across the country, but, regarding tranche 2, some of the smaller schemes are being caught up and left behind. This is frustrating for the Deputy as an elected representative and for the people of the areas he mentioned. I committed to visiting those areas inside the next two to three weeks. I am working on providing more funding to the local authorities through the minor works scheme, but I think we may be able to make steps forward in terms of the tranche 2 scheme.”
“Rather, we should work together in the House to deliver for these people because we know too well the suffering they are going through at this time.”
“I thank Deputy McCarthy. I know the pressures he is under as an elected representative, as is everyone in this House. I was in this role before and I know the run of the Department but there are still constraints that do not allow us to deliver the schemes as fast as humanly possible. In regard to Lough Funshinagh, when we went into try to do the work there, we had not dotted our i's or crossed our t's and we ended up with judicial reviews which held back the project for a number of years. We are now in a good place and working together. This is not about politics. People have water up to their knees in their houses and are scared for their lives. We should not use this as a place to beat Government up.”
“I am familiar with some of the areas the Deputy spoke about but we will meet the people on the ground to give assurances that Government is there to help and it will do whatever it can, and I know my Department is doing that. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, has been very supportive in the recent talks relating to providing funding. Government is very much to the fore in respect of flooding right across the country.”
“In recent months, we have gone from five schemes to 13 with machines on the ground and two more to come at the end of the year. We are about to make changes to minor works scheme where local authorities will be able to come to my Department and speed up the delivery of some of these schemes in tranche II. I hope to be able to deliver for those people in question with the minor works scheme. On the Deputy's question on calling to the areas, I would say we are looking at approximately two to three weeks. I am probably the only Minister in the House who is under heavy demand. I am everywhere and anywhere but I like to visit people and to see the problems first hand.”
“I thank the Deputy. The Taoiseach and I visited Midleton and met the people there. I always say in the House that from start to finish, a scheme takes 11 years. It is very hard for people to accept this, particularly when their houses and businesses have been flooded. I understand well the areas in Midleton and the pressures on them. With regard to the other areas in question, I am making changes to the minor works scheme and looking at other areas where we can provide funding to the local authority to help to try speed it up under tranche II. We announced the scheme back in 2018 and I will give the Deputy a picture of where we are at today. We have more than 100 schemes at various stages in the planning and construction, which was an enormous move in terms of the Government protecting the people at risk of flooding.”
“This is in line with best practice guidance from the United Kingdom to avoid potential structural damage to properties. No review of the scheme’s criteria is being considered. A quarterly update to elected representatives, members of the business community and the wider community by Cork County Council on the Midleton flood relief scheme and individual property protection scheme is taking place today, 17 July 2025.”
“This included retrospective payment to property owners who had purchased suitable individual property protection, IPP, measures between 18 October 2023 to 7 October 2024. Following a review of all applications there were 725 valid applications. Cork County Council is, since April 2025, delivering flood barriers to properties where no civil works is required. The council is fully aware of the urgent nature of this unprecedented project and is constrained by the response from the market for supply of flood barriers and civil works contractors. Cork County Council and the OPW are keeping the delivery of IPP under review. Cork County Council has advised that the standard height of barrier being delivered under this scheme is 680 mm which is the accepted industry standard height for flood barriers.”
“Cork County Council has begun to engage with landowners on environmental surveys and assessments required to inform the environmental impact assessment report. The council has completed a number of interim flood defence works in Midleton since Storm Babet in October 2023. Cork County Council progressed interim flood mitigation measures for Rathcormac, Castlemartyr and Killeagh and is liaising with the Office of Public Works on interim measures for Mogeely. In October 2024, the OPW approved €5.8 million in funding for Cork County Council to make individual property protection available free of charge to home and business owners in Midleton and across east Cork who were impacted by Storm Babet in October 2023.”
“The OPW is funding nine staff in Cork County Council to support its delivery of this programme of schemes, and other schemes across the county, including in Mogeely and Killeagh. The OPW is piloting a new delivery model in counties Donegal and Kilkenny to inform delivery of future tranche II schemes nationally. The Midleton flood relief scheme, to protect up to 750 properties, is currently estimated to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in early 2026 and for substantial completion in 2031. A planning application for advance works at Tir Cluain, to protect 111 of these properties, is scheduled for submission as a Part 8 application later this year with construction planned to commence in late summer-early autumn 2026.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 9 together. The launch in 2018 of the flood risk management plans trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction. There remain some 50 schemes, referred to as tranche II, yet to commence work on their design, due to constraints of professional engineering services and skills in Ireland. However, the Government is committed to funding these projects through the €1.3 billion available under the national development plan for flood relief measures. Cork County Council is leading the delivery of six flood relief schemes, including Midleton, with nine tranche II schemes, including Castlemartyr, Youghal and Rathcormac.”
“I live only a stone's throw across the water. It was a very proud day for me because I have so many friends and relations who live down there. Seeing the smiles on people's faces is what we are about. I went into government to ensure delivery of major projects such as this and to give people peace of mind.”
“I appreciate everything the Deputy said. She is on the ground and knows exactly what she is talking about. She knows more than those of us who are in government. The pressure came from the Taoiseach to the Tánaiste right down to every Minister who had a role in this. As I said, delivering the scheme is important. I do not know if the Deputy had time to go and visit, but the day we turned on the pumps, it was great to see the local farming community and particularly the people who had suffered most - the families whose houses were affected - and see the excitement on their faces knowing that Government had listened and delivered on what they wanted. However, the final piece is the permanent solution. As I said to the Deputy, the meetings we have had to date show that we are very much on track to deliver that.”
“Even when I was not in government and out of politics, I still called at Christmas to see people. I have seen the devastation, etc., at first hand and have tried for years to find a solution. We now have a solution. The Deputy is right; we need the permanent solution. We are on target to deliver that, so it is good work all around by everybody.”
“I acknowledge and appreciate all the work that has been done, particularly by the people and those in the farming community who live around Lough Funshinagh. It was great to go down there to switch on the pumps. It is great now to see the work on the interim solution coming to fruition, particularly as I was involved with the work on it when I was in government previously. The long-term solution is on target for planning by the end of the year. As the Deputy knows, we had a consultation day in County Roscommon, which was very well attended. It is very important to get people to attend such events because we can iron out the issues and problems that may be foreseen. As stated, we are on target. This is a good-news story for the people of Lough Funshinagh. I have visited the householders there on a number of occasions.”
“As of 12 May, thee pumps were deactivated in accordance with the parameters outlined in the planning application until water levels in the lough begin to rise again. Roscommon County Council has been stopped on two occasions, by means of judicial reviews, from completing emergency permanent works to reduce water levels back to normal. The council, with funding from the OPW, is currently progressing the Lough Funshinagh climate adaptation project. The studies and assessments that have been completed for the interim flood scheme are applicable to the permanent scheme. Roscommon County Council-----”
“To address this, the council has developed a three-pronged approach, including the provision of individual property protection for those properties at flood risk, which includes TrapBags installed at selected locations around the lough. The OPW has approved funding of €529,000 for the provision of these measures. Due to the significant flooding that occurred in the spring of 2024, the development of an interim flood relief scheme became the primary focus in advance of the permanent scheme. The €5.2 million interim scheme includes a temporary pipeline and pumping station for over-ground pumping of water from the lough to a discharge point on the Cross river. Planning permission for this scheme was received from An Bórd Pleanála in January of this year, with the pumps activated in March.”
“Lough Funshinagh is a designated special area of conservation turlough and has experienced increasingly severe flooding in recent years. Roscommon County Council has implemented temporary flood defences, including road raising and water level management. The council is being supported by an expert working group comprising representatives from the Office of Public Works, OPW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Geological Survey Ireland. The group has concluded that the lough is not draining as it used to and that this, in part, is the cause of flooding and is also a risk to the ecological status of this area of conservation.”
“Since I came into office, the number of schemes at construction has increased from five to 11, with two more to follow. There are 100 schemes on the go at present and we have given a total of €4.2 million to Kerry County Council. We are working together; that is how you deliver. I am on the Senator’s side, just as I am on the side of the people of Listowel. Every TD in the Dáil is on to me asking the same question. I am working to deliver on the scheme in question, but we have to work together in doing so. There is no point in telling me my team is doing one thing and another is doing something else.”
“That is unfair. A report has to be complied with. It has gone to Kerry. In fairness to the council, it is examining it and will come back to us. We are working together. There are no people working apart. Both the council and my officials are working on this. It is not as straightforward as the Senator thinks. Nobody in my Department gave a commitment to move machines to the affected area. They would not because the necessary work has to be carried out first. I told the Senator on the last occasion what happened at Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon, where the i’s were not dotted and the t’s were not crossed. It ended up in a judicial review. We cannot come along and just do A, B and C; we have to comply with the report and follow through on it. I am working with Kerry County Council.”
“When I have it, it will determine the next phase and when I will be able to give the Senator starting and delivery times. What occurred happened in 2024. I spoke to the Senator in May and I have now moved things to the point where I hope to have a date in the near future for delivery on the scheme.”
“I made it clear that it was a number one priority but working together is far better than working apart. I hear comments coming from Kerry. I am in the job a number of months. I have seriously taken this upon myself to deliver. You cannot do something in two months or three months. When designing a scheme like this, it has to be realised that 95% of the works are under the ground. That is the hardest part of delivering on a scheme, no matter where it is. There is one chance to get it right and if the rules and regulations are not heeded, you could end up in a different situation, meaning it could be delayed a little longer. However, I can assure the Senator that while people want to blame the OPW, I am waiting on a report from Kerry County Council to come back to my office.”
“It will then be open to Kerry County Council to apply to the OPW for funding for temporary or interim measures, pending the commencement of the Listowel flood relief scheme. My officials will continue to engage with Kerry County Council and the consultants. Funding for these measures can be considered through the OPW’s minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. This minor works scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. When I was here two months ago, I said to the Senator that I was working extremely hard to try to deliver on this scheme.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I assure him that the OPW and Kerry County Council are committed to progressing short-term flood relief measures for Listowel and Killocrim. Following a flood event in Listowel in November 2024, Kerry County Council engaged consultants to provide a report on the flood event and its findings were presented to the municipal district on 30 April 2025. They are now available to the public. Kerry County Council has discussed the findings of this report with the OPW. The consultants, Malachy Walsh and Partners, are currently carrying out an assessment for the progression of the viable short-term flood defence works in Listowel and Killocrim as recommended in the flooding report. The outputs of this assessment, which may require hydraulic modelling, will be discussed with my officials upon completion.”
“They are an interim solution, not the final solution. They give people comfort and they do work. I know what the Deputy is saying about a flood of 5 ft. I can understand that quite clearly. However, when that proposal is put to the people, they grasp it because they need support and help. That is what we are here to provide. The Government has backed it up with the money and now we just have to deliver the scheme. From having five schemes to having 11 schemes at construction stage in such a short few months shows we are delivering, working with the local authorities up and down the country.”
“I said I was going to Cork and she said to me, "They see more of you than I do." I am all too well aware of the issues. I feel for people greatly when it comes to flooding. I spoke to the local authorities. I am there to help the local authorities and I want to move on tranche 2 schemes. That is why I brought the issue to the fore and why we have teams meeting with the local authorities to see how fast we can move. We talk about what is available. On the minor works scheme, I engaged with Kevin in Cork the other day and I said to him that when I go down and meet these groups up and down the country, not just in Cork, I want the local authorities to use the minor works scheme to do interim solutions to help the people in the communities. I am somewhat taken aback when the Deputy refers to floodgates.”
“As the Deputy knows, I have visited Midleton and know too well the strain that is on the people there and the other groups, particularly in the other areas that have been flooded. No one knows that better than I do. Since my taking up this role, we have gone from five schemes to 13 schemes, with 11 at construction and two more to follow this year. That is a huge jump. The OPW is working with the local authorities. The whole-of-government approach is trying to help people and communities that are suffering greatly. They are the people the Deputy and I represent. I have travelled most of the country and have been down in the Deputy's neck of the woods. I was in it again last week. My wife asked me last Sunday where I was going.”
“The pilot means that data gathering may be scaled up from individual communities to all schemes in a county. The pilot will better inform the prioritisation of future schemes nationally and the scope of services required from consultants to design and construct flood relief schemes.”
“Any flood relief scheme needs to map and understand the location and the flooding sources and constraints. This is achieved by extensive and wide-ranging surveys. In consideration of the above, the OPW is piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes through four tranche 2 schemes in counties Kilkenny and Donegal. These are known as the tranche 2 pilot. There are two tranche 2 pilot schemes in County Kilkenny, in Freshford and Piltown, and two in County Donegal, in Donegal town and Letterkenny. The tranche 2 pilot will transfer the management of data-gathering, as a first step in designing a scheme, from consultant engineers for a single scheme to the local authorities for all schemes in the pilot and, where feasible, within their areas of responsibility.”
“The flood-relief delivery programme was subdivided into two tranches, focusing initially on tranche 1 schemes and those already in the delivery pipeline. Under the national programme, work has yet to commence on the design of some 54 tranche 2 flood relief schemes. Regarding challenges affecting scheme delivery and the impact of these on the timeline, senior officials in the OPW engaged with the directors of services of local authorities in spring 2023 to discuss and develop a planned national approach to future schemes that matches the return on investment from the available capacity between the local authorities and the OPW. One of the important lessons learned from the current delivery model is the time taken to gather the necessary data on the causes of flooding and the landscape of a community at risk.”
“Since 2018, the Government has trebled the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction to some 100. This has been achieved through the partnership delivery model between the OPW and local authorities, and by the OPW increasing the capacity of the local authority sector. Today, the OPW funds some 50 project management and engineering staff across the local authority sector. They are leading the delivery of flood relief schemes within their administrative areas. While funding under the national development plan, of €1.3 billion to 2030, is available for the flood relief measures identified in the flood risk management plans, it is not feasible to progress all the flood relief schemes identified by the plans concurrently due to limited capacity in the local authorities and the specialised consultancy market.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue today. I am fully aware that flooding has a significant impact on people, families, businesses and communities. I refer in particular to the widespread flooding caused by Storm Babet in October 2023. To date, the OPW has completed 55 flood relief schemes nationwide. These are providing protection to over 13,500 properties, and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. The catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme, the largest study of flood risk, was completed by the OPW in 2018. The output from this study was the flood risk management plans that are providing the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing 150 flood relief schemes for the most affected communities.”
“One thing people forget when you are building flood defences is that 95% of the work is underground. Only 5% is above ground. Wherever the OPW works collectively with local authorities, it leaves towns or villages an awful lot better off than they were when it arrived. That is very reputable. I thank my Department and the staff of the OPW, the people on the ground and those on the front line. They have worked tirelessly for me and with me on behalf of the people of Ireland. I know the areas I need to look at going forward. There has been a lot of talk about river cleaning. That is a matter I am looking at. I am also looking at the minor works scheme. There has also been much talk about tranche 2 schemes, and a lot of work can be done on those. I will continue to work with everyone in the House. I thank Members for their contributions.”
“While some people have views about the different bodies connected to the Shannon, I can honestly say that I work with every one of them and am very happy with the progress we are making together. The Shannon co-ordinating group does major work along the river. It will continue to do that work. Every person who contributed to the debate mentioned different areas. I recently visited Midleton and saw the interim work done there. That is something we are moving on with local authorities. Interim solutions are very important. While they are interim in nature, they offer some level of cover to those people. I have seen Whitechurch, about which some Deputies have commented. I met with residents, and they are thrilled to see that work. People ask that the work go faster, but once you start, you say it takes 11 years.”
“We have given local authorities up and down the country 50 engineers to drive forward and improve the delivery of schemes. This is not a silver bullet, but it gives local authorities the support they need to deliver on those important schemes. There has been a lot of talk about insurance. The Minister of State, Deputy Troy, is actively working with my Department on that matter. Again, I have to give him the time to do that. There has also been a great deal of talk about the Shannon. When I was previously a Minister of State, we looked at nine pinch points along the Shannon corridor. We removed seven of these. I have to be honest and say very little has happened since. There is a programme of tree maintenance along the Shannon with Waterways Ireland.”
“This is not about politics; it is about people suffering and about those who get up in the morning and think that there are people in this House who are here to work for them as opposed to knocking one another. I emphasise the €550 million spent on completed schemes to date. The figure for minor works stands at €68.5 million. This is real progress. While I acknowledge that people in the House may say it is slow, the planning period to get from A to B is 11 years. If I had a magic wand, I would not be standing in front of the House today. I would be out there waving it. One thing I can say is that with OPW working alongside the local authorities, I can see where the blockages lie. I intend to tour the country during the summer recess to try to speed up processes for better engagement in places where I think we can deliver on schemes.”
“In addition, the schemes in early delivery stages are being progressed by the OPW and its delivery partners towards planning and construction completion. Nobody in the House knows more about and has seen more distress caused by flooding than I have in my town and as I visited towns and villages throughout the country when I was last a Member of the Dáil. In 2018, I brought forward the CFRAM programme, to which there was huge opposition but which I felt it was going to be the bible going forward when it came to flooding. The biggest task I faced at that time to get funding, including the €1.3 billion to which I refer, to combat flooding in order that we might move forward. I recognise that all Members have issues in their constituencies and that we all have to work collectively.”
“As stated earlier, the Government has committed €1.3 billion to delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the national development plan in order to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are at significant coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of the phased approach to delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW to triple the work of flood relief schemes in partnership with local authorities to 100. Those schemes are in the design, planning and construction phases at this time. The OPW and local authorities will continue to progress 11 schemes currently at construction stage. Upon completion, these schemes will provide protection to 2,900 properties at an estimated cost benefit to the State regarding potential damages and loss of €360 million.”
“I again thank the House for the opportunity to engage with Members directly on flooding matters. I am aware of the significant impact on communities and of the distress caused by and the continued risk of flooding. I have seen impact of flooding on people and on their homes, businesses and farms at first hand. I fully recognise the hardship experienced by all those who have been affected by flooding. The OPW is the lead agency for flood management and has a vital role in co-ordinating the delivery of the national flood risk management programme and addressing the flood risk relating to rivers and the sea.”
“I would also like to thank the Members of this House for their time, work and commitment in the context of improving society and the lives of our citizens. I appreciate their interest in matters relating to flooding. I invite and welcome statements from them.”
“In that context, the Programme for Government - Securing Ireland’s Future, contains a commitment to completing the second phase of the land use review, which is aimed at balancing environmental, social and economic considerations. Any review of Arterial Drainage Act requirements must be framed by land use policy and have regard to flood risk and existing and future requirements for arterial land drainage. If I may, before I conclude, I will take the opportunity to sincerely thank my officials in the OPW. They deliver key services to a wide range of clients and communities. I am pleased to work with such a dedicated team. I am proud of the long legacy that the OPW has in delivering these services across the country.”
“Under the 2024 programme of works, maintenance was carried out on 1,937 km of arterial drainage channel and 207 km of embankments. These works comply with all relevant environmental legislation through a range of environmental assessments, including strategic environmental assessments, appropriate assessments and ecological assessments, and are supported by widespread stakeholder consultation. Concerns about the impact of arterial drainage on the environment have resulted in calls to review the Arterial Drainage Act. I am not opposed to a review of the legislation, if necessary, but I am concerned about the importance of schemes delivered under the Act to the communities that are protected by them.”
“Under the scheme, applications are considered for the projects, and the estimated cost is no more than €750,000 in each. As of the end of 2024, the OPW had approved funding of €68.6 million across 900 unique projects. Under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, the OPW completed 34 arterial drainage schemes on river catchments and five estuarine embankment schemes. The OPW has a statutory duty to maintain and complete these schemes. The arterial drainage maintenance programme comprises 11,500 km of river channel and up to 800 km of embankments. This provides drainage for 260,000 ha of agricultural lands, as well as a level of protection from flooding to essential infrastructure, including in excess of 20,000 properties, 2,400 km of roads and 77 towns and villages.”
“The residual risk is being addressed by other flood risk management measures, including the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme, individual property protection, the voluntary homeowners relocation scheme and enhanced preparedness, including through the development of a national flood forecasting and warning system and the promotion of individual and community resilience. As well as managing significant flood events, the OPW supports local authorities in managing localised flooding risks. Under the OPW minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme, local authorities can undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.”
“Recently, I was pleased to turn on the interim pump solution to help manage the flood risk at Lough Funshinagh in County Roscommon pending the completion of a permanent solution. Roscommon County Council, with the assistance of the OPW, is actively working towards preparing for submission a planning application for the permanent solution to flooding at the lough. When the schemes in the flood risk management plans are completed, 95% of those properties assessed in the CFRAM study will be protected from flooding.”
“While a key part of due process, timeframes to obtain planning decisions, as well as managing judicial reviews to those decisions, impact on delivery timelines. Notwithstanding these challenges, I am pleased to report that in 2024, five schemes - those at Crossmolina, King’s Island, Morrison’s Island, the River Poddle and the River Wad phase 1B - progressed to construction stage, as planned. This brings the total number of flood relief schemes currently at construction stage to 11 schemes nationwide. Such schemes will benefit communities in a wide range of counties, including Cork, Clare, Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Tipperary, Mayo and Westmeath. I have visited a number of these sites.”
“These are achieved by extensive and wide-ranging surveys to understand the topography, hydrology and environment of the community. Market demand and competition for these necessary surveys for flood relief schemes and other developments has resulted in an extension of the period of time needed for these surveys to be completed. Detailed technical analysis is further required to establish the most appropriate solutions, technically and environmentally, from the range of possible design options. Extensive public consultation is required at various stages to ensure that those affected by the scheme have the opportunity to input into the design and implementation. The delivery of all schemes must meet the regulatory and planning requirements.”