Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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69. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any changes will be made to the CFRAM projects in Louth following analysis of the impact of severe flooding in north Louth last November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29512/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Following the severe flooding in north Louth last November, flood event drone footage was captured and surveying of the affected areas arranged. The Office of Public Works (OPW) met with Louth County Council engineers on 9^th October 2023 to review the work completed to date on the Carlingford/Greenore Flood Relief Scheme and to plan for the scheme going forward. This included scoping requirements and data collection. The OPW met again with Louth County Council in November 2023 to assess the flood mechanisms and damages from the flood event and this will help to inform the proposed scheme.

Earlier this year, Louth County Council advertised a CCTV and Topographical Survey Tender competition for Carlingford and Greenore to collect data to develop the flood relief scheme. Contractors have been appointed by Louth County Council and it is expected that survey data will be available in Q4 2024 which will inform the development of the scheme. Following a request from Louth County Council the OPW has recently approved funding for additional staff to assist with the progression of the project at Carlingford/Greenore. OPW and Louth County Council Engineers continue to meet frequently to progress this scheme.

Currently the Dundalk/Blackrock South Flood Relief Scheme and the Drogheda/Baltray Flood Relief Scheme are at Development and Preliminary Design Stage (Stage 1) in the project lifecycle. Updates to the Hydraulic model for Dundalk following Storm Ciarán in November 2023 are ongoing and will inform the scheme design. An emerging options workshop is scheduled for Q3, 2024. The expected end date for Stage 1 of the Dundalk/Blackrock South Scheme is Q1, 2026 and Stage 1 completion for the Drogheda/Baltray Scheme is scheduled for Q2 2025.

In the interim it remains open to Louth County Council to apply for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This demand driven scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.

Applications for funding from local authorities are considered for flood relief and erosion protection measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on .