Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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79. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the Thomastown flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4803/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans, identified a flood relief scheme for Thomastown, County Kilkenny, which will be funded under the Government's flood risk investment programme of €1.3 billion under the National Development Plan to 2030.

The OPW has invested €46m in the Kilkenny City (Nore) Flood Relief Scheme that, since 2006, is protecting some 200 properties.

The OPW in partnership with Kilkenny County Council has commenced delivery for the Graiguenamangh Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme and Ballyhale Flood Relief Scheme. The Graiguenamanagh Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme is due to go to planning in Q3 this year and Ballyhale has received planning consent and will go to construction in early 2026. When complete these two scheme will protect a further 112 properties.

It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes.

While the proposed scheme in Thomastown is not in the first tranche of 100 projects being progressed, nationally, 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 Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme proposed measure for Thomastown consists of building hard defences, embankments and walls set back, where possible, from the river channel. When complete the scheme could protect approximately 48 residential properties and 87 commercial properties.

When detailed design works commence, more detailed assessments at a local level and further public and stakeholder consultation will be undertaken that will inform the final option for Thomastown.

The OPW and Kilkenny County Council are piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes across the national programme of schemes, and this pilot will inform the delivery of the Thomastown Flood Relief Scheme.

In the interim, Kilkenny County Council can make an application to the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme to provide mitigation measures for Thomastown.