Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

The Government is investing a sum of €113 million in flood relief measures completed or under way across counties Kilkenny and Carlow.

In 2018, the OPW launched the flood risk management plans. Due to constraints in specialised engineering consultancy services and skills, it is not feasible to concurrently deliver all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the plans. Kilkenny County Council is leading the delivery of flood relief schemes for Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch, Ballyhale, Piltown and Freshford in the first tranche of the schemes and piloting a new national delivery model. The OPW is funding two staff in Kilkenny County Council to project manage the delivery of these schemes. Carlow County Council is leading the delivery of the Carlow town scheme to protect 35 properties.

The preferred option for the €26 million Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme to protect 84 properties has been identified. Kilkenny County Council expect to submit this planning permission in quarter 3 of 2025.

The €2 million Ballyhale flood relief scheme to protect 28 properties received planning consent in August 2024. Detailed design for the scheme to progress to construction is nearing completion. It is programmed that construction will commence in quarter 1 of 2026 with substantial completion of the scheme in quarter 4 of 2027.

The Office of Public Works has carried out a map review of Carlow town and is discussing with the council commencing topographical survey, re-estimation of flood flows and computer modelling to produce flood mapping, to inform the design options for the scheme.

The OPW is also piloting a new national delivery model for all tranche 2 flood relief schemes, through four tranche 2 schemes across counties Kilkenny and Donegal, including Freshford and Piltown. The pilot is changing how the data for the scheme design is collected by the local authority. Kilkenny County Council is due to appoint a contractor in the coming weeks and go to tender for topography surveys and CCTV surveys before the end of July. In addition to this, the OPW hydrometric section will be installing gauges in Freshford and Piltown to provide data on the river levels.

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