Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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174. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the and progress of the Enniscorthy flood defence scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18119/25]

Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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175. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will engage with Wexford local authority to ensure the flood defence scheme badly needed in Enniscorthy can be progressed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18120/25]

Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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176. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the monies that were said to ringfenced for the Enniscorthy flood relief scheme are still secured for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18121/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 174, 175 and 176 together.

In March 2020, the Enniscorthy Food Relief Scheme (“the Scheme”) was submitted by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services Reform and Digitalisation for statutory confirmation, under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. The main elements of the proposed Scheme included construction of flood defence walls, river channel widening and deepening, construction of a new road bridge over the River Slaney, and construction of a new pedestrian bridge to replace the removal of the existing Seamus Rafter Bridge. In March 2022, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services Reform and Digitalisation made a decision to refuse this Scheme under Section 7E(1)(B) of the Arterial Drainage Act.

Since March 2022 there has been extensive engagement between the OPW and Wexford County Council , who are the contracting authority for the Scheme. In Q4 2023, Wexford County Council submitted a proposed strategy for the progression of the Scheme to the OPW. The proposed strategy, which was approved by the OPW, comprises two phases for the delivery of the Scheme (i.e. Phase 1 Bridgeworks and Phase 2 Flood Relief Works).

Phase 1 of the Scheme will include the construction of the new River Slaney Bridge, the construction of a new pedestrian bridge and the removal of the Seamus Rafter Bridge, which poses an obstruction to river flow through the town centre during flood events. Phase 2 of the Scheme will include the construction of the remaining flood relief measures for Enniscorthy town.

The Project Steering Group is currently progressing design options for Phase 1 and it is envisaged that a planning application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála (“the Board”) in Q2 2026. To facilitate a submission to the Board, an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and a Natura Impact Statement will be prepared. Additionally, an initial public consultation on Phase 1 Bridgeworks is due to take place on Q2 2025 and will be advertised to the public in advance. With regards to Phase 2 of the Scheme, Wexford County Council and the OPW are currently finalising a Project Brief in order to issue a tender for the appointment of a consultant. The Project Brief is in its final stages of development and it is expected to go to tender in Q2 2025. Once a consultant is appointed for Phase 2, the design options for Phase 2 will be progressed. It is envisaged that a consultant for Phase 2 of the Scheme will be appointed in Q3 2025. A detailed Programme for the overall Scheme (Phase 1 & Phase 2) will be subsequently developed for the Scheme following the appointment of a consultant for Phase 2.

The OPW and Wexford County Council remain committed to the progression of this Scheme, which currently has an approved total project budget of approximately €51m for flood relief measures, which will be funded under the Government’s €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan to 2030.