Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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224. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to reply to correspondence (details supplied) regarding a flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4635/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s national flood policy, which includes the development of a planned programme of feasible works for flood relief schemes.

In 2018, to facilitate the development of a programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study - the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) programme. The CFRAM programme resulted in the publication of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), which identified and described the flood risk in various river basins (including the Barrow River Basin and the town of Mountmellick) and potentially viable flood relief works.

To facilitate the progression of potentially viable flood relief works in Mountmellick, Laois County Council (LCC) agreed, with the support of the OPW, to lead the further detailed assessment of the flood risk, design options and environmental assessments to support a planning application for a viable scheme. Additionally, LCC engaged the services of an engineering consultant to facilitate the progression of the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme.

The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme is currently approaching the end of Stage One (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) with the selection of a preferred option identified, which involves flood defences such as embankments, walls, culvert upgrades and a bridge replacement over the Owenass River. The preferred option was selected based on a range of criteria including economic, environmental and ecological impact, climate change adaptability and consideration of the feedback which arose during the public and stakeholder consultation process.

The scheme’s Option Report and Environmental Impact Assessment Report along with the other planning documents are now substantially complete. An additional report to analyse local residents concerns is also nearing completion, following a meeting between LCC, OPW and residents in Derrycloney in Q3 2024. The findings of the finalised report will be communicated to the residents concerned in advance of any planning application being submitted by LCC to An Bord Pleanála for the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme.

The OPW notes that it was previously envisaged that a report would be finalised by the scheme’s consultant prior to the end of 2024. However, due to the extent of investigation and analysis required, additional time is required to facilitate completion. It is currently envisaged that a response will be issued to the residents concerned prior to the end of Q1 2025.