Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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318. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown flood relief schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2536/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch FRS

The Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme (GTFRS) commenced in March 2020. Ayesa (formerly Byrne Looby) were appointed as the engineering and environmental consultants. This scheme's design is very advanced and a Preferred Option for Graiguenamagh-Tinnahinch has been identified. This includes raised defences on the River Barrow along with raised defences and an upstream storage area on the River Duiske to prevent flooding. Where possible, new flood defence walls will replace existing walls throughout the scheme. These hard defences will protect properties from the 1% AEP (100 year) fluvial flood event. A total of 84 properties will be protected 31 Residential and 53 Commercial properties.

On the 23rd January, 2025 a non-statutory Public Display Day of the preferred option was held in Graiguenamanagh. It is currently programmed for Kilkenny County Council to submit the Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme for planning permission in Q3 of 2025.

Thomastown Flood Relief Scheme

There is also a proposed Flood Relief Scheme identified for Thomastown, County Kilkenny, which will be funded under the Government's flood risk investment programme of almost €1.3 billion under the National Development Plan to 2030.

While the proposed scheme in Thomastown is not in the first tranche of some 100 flood relief schemes being progressed, the OPW continues to liaise closely with Kilkenny County Council to ensure that the programme of flood relief projects identified for Co. Kilkenny is kept under review, and that all projects will be commenced as soon as possible.

The OPW is currently trialling a new national delivery model for flood relief scheme towards a more efficient means of delivering all 50 schemes in the second tranche of schemes, including Thomastown. The pilot includes Kilkenny County Council trialling a new delivery model for Piltown and Freshford.

Pending the commencement of the major scheme for Thomastown, it is open to Kilkenny County Council to apply for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Under this scheme, applications by local authorities for localised flood mitigation measures are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €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 www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/.