Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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492. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out what measures the Office of Public Works is taking to address flood risk associated with the Blackwater-Bride river system in County Waterford; to detail the status of any proposed or active flood relief schemes relating to this river system; and to provide an update on design work, funding allocations, timelines, and expected delivery. [23416/25]

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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493. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a full list of all coastal protection schemes under the remit of the Office of Public Works in County Waterford, including projects at any stage from preliminary discussion to implementation; and to outline the location, status, scope, and timeline of each scheme, particularly those addressing flood and erosion risks in vulnerable coastal communities. [23417/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together.

Nationally, 55 flood relied schemes have been completed which are providing protection to over 13,500 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion.

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 which provide the roadmap for the Government’s €1.3bn investment in flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030.

Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning and construction to some 100 schemes.

The Flood Risk Management Plan for the Blackwater River Basin (FRMP 18) published in 2018, stated that project level assessments and potentially flood relief works will be undertaken within the townlands of Aglish, Ballyduff, and Dungarvan and Environs.

Aglish & Ballyduff have small scheme status with a projected total combined budget of €1,070,000. The agreed delivery model between the OPW and the County and City Managers Association for all small schemes, was for the local authority to progress these schemes, through design, planning and construction. Accordingly, these flood relief schemes have been assigned to the District Engineer in Waterford City and County Council. The OPW understands progress has been constrained due to competing priorities in the district.

Dungarvan and Environs is not in the first tranche of schemes being delivered, nationally. There remains 50 schemes identified by CFRAM, called Tranche 2 schemes, where design works have yet to commence, including for Dungarvan and Environs. Their delivery is being informed by a national pilot of delivery models.

The CFRAM Programme did study the flood risk at Tallow Co. Waterford and did not propose structural flood risk management options, as Tallow was considered to have a low level of flood risk. The OPW is aware that in October 2023 a flood event occurred in Tallow during Storm Babet. The OPW has received and is reviewing an application by Waterford City and County Council, under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The application is for topographical survey, investigation of flooding, preparation of a flood defence options report and AA screening of a preferred scheme for Tallow. A previous minor works application in 2017 was approved for survey and works to clear restrictions at the eye of Tallow bridge and repairs to the river bank.

A local authority can apply for funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to address flooding. The purpose of this Scheme is to provide 90% funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies, up to €750,000, to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Since the commencement of the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in 2009, the OPW has approved funding of some €1.9 million to county Waterford for some 18 projects.

Currently Waterford City and County Council have submitted a number of Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme applications to the OPW for works and studies in County Waterford.

A series of Minor Works applications were received by the OPW throughout 2023 from Waterford City and County Council for proposed works located at Ardmore Beach and Abbeyside, Clonea Road, Dungarvan. The OPW completed its review of these proposed works and requested additional supplementary information from the Council.

In April 2025 the Council issued updated applications in relation to Abbeyside, Clonea Road and these are being reviewed by the OPW. The OPW has not received any of the requested supplementary information on the application for the proposed works at Ardmore Beach.

A request for Minor Works funding was received by the OPW in 2020 for a study at Ballinacourty. The OPW have reviewed this application and have requested further information from the Council, which will be reviewed when submitted.

The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy are being implemented. Amongst the key recommendations of the Report is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, that is responsible for chairing an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.

The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. These assessments will comprise a substantial, multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally, and then in detail at higher risk locations as a basis for then determining potential viable works to manage this risk. This work will contribute to the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.