Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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342. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to detail engagement with Louth County Council and the OPW in relation to Ramparts Blackwater River in County Louth, his plans to deal with issues as regards possible flooding and dealing with wastewater; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47669/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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343. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to detail each allocation made to Louth County Council under the OPW’s minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for the years 2013 to 2025, and what each of these allocations were for, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47670/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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344. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the scheme viability review for flood relief schemes for Annagassan and Termonfeckin to include when a decision will be made by the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47671/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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347. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on CFRAM in county Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47674/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342, 343, 344 and 347 together.

In 2019, the Bellurgan Flood Relief Scheme was completed and is protecting 35 properties from significant flood risk.

Through the agreed delivery model, and with Office of Public Works, (OPW), funding for six staff, Louth County Council is leading the delivery of five flood relief schemes at Dundalk/Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford/ Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, from the €1.3bn investment in flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.

The Dundalk/Blackrock South scheme is to protect 1,880 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020. The design options for this scheme are expected to be presented to the public in Q1 2026 and a preferred option presented in Q3 2026. The planning application is expected to be submitted in Q3 2027.

The Ramparts and Blackwater Rivers form part of the study area for the Dundalk Flood Relief Scheme. Options to alleviate flooding along these watercourses will be identified as the scheme progresses and the scheme consultants are liaising with relevant stakeholders such as Uisce Éireann in relation to wastewater.

The combined Drogheda and Baltray Scheme is to protect 425 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in September, 2021. The scope of the area for the scheme was recently extended and the options for the scheme are now expected in Q1 2026 and to be presented to the public in Q2 2026. A planning application is expected to be submitted in Q1 2027.

Funding of €339,480 for a viable option, identified by Louth County Council, for Ardee to protect some 30 properties, has recently been approved by the OPW.

Louth County Council and the OPW are reviewing requirements for a brief to procure engineering and environmental consultants for the Carlingford and Greenore Scheme. Louth County Council are identifying interim works that can be progressed and the OPW has recently approved funding of some €28,000 for works identified in Brown’s Lane/Newry Street. A further application for funding to the OPW for interim works that may improve the conveyance characteristics of the Carlingford drainage system is currently being progressed by Louth County Council.

The Scheme Viability Reviews (SVRs) for Annagassan and Termonfeckin have been completed. As the SVRs for these areas concluded that potentially viable Flood Relief Schemes have been identified, these areas will be brought forward as Flood Relief Projects in due course, through the second tranche of schemes. The OPW will discuss with Louth County Council the optimal means for progressing Flood Relief in these areas.

Since 2009, funding of some €1.9 million has been approved for Louth County Council, under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, for 26 projects. The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.

Total OPW funding approved for Louth County Council under this scheme for the years 2013 to 2025 inclusive is €1,517,033 for 13 projects. Details of the approved Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme projects for Louth County Council from 2013 to the present day are as follows: