Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the Graiguenamanagh flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4802/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A Flood Relief Scheme has been identified for Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny, which will be funded under the Government's flood risk management investment programme of almost €1.3 billion under the National Development Plan to 2030.

The towns of Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny and Tinnahinch in County Carlow have a history of flooding. They are separated by the River Barrow which causes flooding when the channel exceeds its capacity. Additionally, Graiguenamanagh experiences flooding from the River Duiske. The objective of the flood relief scheme is to ensure that the identified preferred option is technically, economically, socially and environmentally viable.

The Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme commenced in March 2020. Ayesa (formerly Byrne Looby) were appointed as the engineering and environmental consultants. At an early stage it became apparent that designing a flood relief scheme would be challenging, this was due to a number of factors and in particular the hydraulic modelling. Modelling was complex due to the flood flows for the watercourses, River Barrow and River Duiske. Other constraints requiring consideration were the dense archaeological and cultural heritage features within the communities of Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch. A number of archaeological surveys were required to allow for mitigation measures to be implemented.

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. This storage area entails the construction of a raised earthen dam 8m in height, which will impound flood waters during extreme events up to the design flood extents of 1 in 100 year Annual Exceedance Probability. This will reduce the need to build hard defences along the Duiske river where constructability would be very difficult. Where possible, new flood defence walls will replace existing walls throughout the scheme. This scheme when complete will protect from a 1% AEP (100 year) event a total of 31 Residential and 53 Commercial properties.

To date there has been 3 public consultations the most recent of which was on the 23rd January, 2025 when a non-statutory Public Display Day of the preferred option was held in Graiguenamanagh. Kilkenny County Council are currently engaging with those landowners that will be affected by the scheme. It is currently programmed for Kilkenny County Council to submit the Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme for planning permission in Q3 of 2025. Further information can be found on the project website .