Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the flood relief schemes in progress or in planning for Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27771/25]

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I have seen first hand the devastating impact that flooding can have on homes, businesses, people, families and communities. I understand the flooding problem cannot be eliminated but it can be managed and mitigated to reduce its likelihood, severity or impact. It is in that context that I ask for an update from the Minister of State on flooding projects that are in planning or in progress in Carlow and Kilkenny.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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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.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I get that flood relief schemes are complex projects and there is a lot of detailed engineering analysis, public engagement, etc. I will focus on the Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme specifically. In 2018, funding was announced for this project following significant funding in 2016. The Minister of State was in this role in a previous Government.

In 2020 I was chairman of Kilkenny County Council. In March 2020 a €9 million contract for a flood relief scheme was signed that was going to sort out Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch. It was a joint initiative between Kilkenny and Carlow County Councils. As the Minister of State said, planning permission has not even been applied for yet. We are looking at quarter 3 of this year. Is there anything at all we can do to speed this up? Will the Minister of State come down to Graiguenamanagh and meet the people there? I mention the devastation that it caused nine years ago and we still do not have a long-term solution, notwithstanding all the works. I know €9 million has been approved but that was in 2018. Will additional funding be made available should the project go above that particular amount?

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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It is open to the local authority to apply to the OPW for 90% funding for localised flood mitigation works up to €750,000 through the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. This money is available through the minor works scheme for which the local authority can apply. I, like Deputy Cleere, am sometimes frustrated by the delay in delivering the scheme, but from when you announce the scheme to delivering it, you are looking at 11 years. While I would love to be able to speed up that process, I am constrained by the planning rules and regulations. We have to work closely with all the agencies to deliver on the scheme as well as work closely with the local authorities. In fairness, in terms of the report I outlined, a lot of work is being done in Kilkenny and Carlow. There is a huge amount of delivery of schemes. While it is slow, it is progressing. I will visit the area because I gave a commitment that I would. I will do that in due course.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State and genuinely acknowledge and appreciate his support for new schemes. I know he is doing everything he can. We spoke privately about these on a number of occasions. Regarding tranche 2 flood relief schemes, and we spoke about Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch, there are other schemes in Kilkenny, such as Freshford, Piltown, Inistioge and Thomastown in particular. They are in the tranche 2 flood relief schemes. I think there are 50 schemes nationally. Given the fact it takes ten or 11 years to get these projects over the line and long-term solutions in place, will the Minister of State commit to progressing those particular schemes so the people of Thomastown, Inistioge, Piltown and Freshford will have the peace of mind and security of knowing their homes or businesses are not going to be flooded or destroyed as happened a number of years ago?

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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As I outlined, the Deputy is lucky in the sense that Kilkenny and Donegal have been picked for tranche 2 for the pilot scheme. How we can deliver on tranche 2 is something I am looking closely at within my Department, because we have so many schemes out there. We must not get away from the fact of how many schemes are progressing and are at planning stage, delivery stage, and construction stage. Tranche 2 seems to be somewhat trapped. I am working closely with the local authorities and my Department to see if there is a way to deliver, or even push local authorities to come in for, funding through the minor works schemes. That is something I am looking at. I am trying to change that at present and I hope to have good news on it very shortly. It will help local authorities throughout the country but particularly the one the Deputy spoke about.