Catherine Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the Poddle flood alleviation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16069/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The River Poddle that traverses Tallaght, Templeogue, Harold's Cross, Kimmage and Temple Bar has a long history of flooding, including in 2011. The River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme is jointly led by South Dublin County Council and Dublin City Council to manage that flooding risk.

The preferred scheme design was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in February 2020 and was granted planning permission in June 2023.

The River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme commenced construction in Q1 2024, and is being undertaken by the OPW's direct labour force. Approximately 37% of the works have been completed to date. Works at Tymon Park are complete and works in Ravensdale Park are due to be completed at the end of this year. Instream works to underpin concrete walls in Fortfield Road are scheduled to commence during the instream season from July to September this year and be completed during the instream season in 2026.

It is estimated that the construction works will be substantially complete by the end of Q2 2027.

When complete, the scheme will provide flood protection against 1 in 100 year flood events to 921 residential and commercial properties; and will be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change.

Funding for the scheme is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and is part of the Government’s commitment of €1.3 billion for the delivery of flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030.

The Total Project Budget for this scheme is estimated at some €21.7m, with total expenditure to the end of 2024 of €4.9m. Updates on the progression of the scheme are available on the scheme's website that is available through the OPW's floodinfo website (www.poddlefas.ie/).

The OPW is funding an engineering staff member in South Dublin County Council to project manage this scheme's engineering and environmental consultants and manage the engagement with landowners and other interested stakeholders.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the funding of the flood relief scheme in Clifden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16247/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I am aware of the devastation that flooding causes to people, homes and communities. Last November during Storm Bert, seven properties in Clifden flooded and I am aware of the history of flooding to this community, including in September 2020.

Through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme, (CFRAM), the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), in 2018. Since 2018, and working with local authorities, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction.

As part of CFRAM a potential flood relief scheme was recommended for Clifden, Co. Galway. The OPW engaged with Galway County Council and confirmed that the OPW would fund the costs of developing and implementing a scheme to alleviate flooding in Clifden, through the Government’s commitment of €1.3bn investment in flood measures under the National Development Plan to 2030.

Galway County Council, is the lead authority for the Clifden Flood Relief Scheme and appointed engineering and environmental consultants in 2021. A draft options report for a flood relief scheme to manage the flood risk for some 24 properties has been presented by the consultant to the Council. This report is currently under review by the OPW and the review should be completed in Q2 2025.

When completed, a decision on progressing a viable option for the Clifden Flood Relief Scheme will be informed by engineering, environmental, social and economic criteria, that includes a calculation of the scheme's benefit cost ratio.

In the interim it is open to Galway County Council to make an application for funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding.

Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €11.8 million to County Galway for some 244 projects.