450. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the Claregalway flood relief scheme; the current stage of the project; the works completed to date; the expected commencement date for further works; and the projected timeline for delivery of the scheme. [65630/26]

The Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme was completed in 2019 and protects 77 properties in Claregalway. All works associated with the construction of the scheme have been successfully completed.

A Scheme Climate Change Adaptation Plan (SCCAP) is scheduled to be commenced in 2027. The SCCAP is pursuant to National Climate Policy and OPW’s commitments under the Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management to ensure that flood relief schemes designed in the present day are readily adaptable in the future, that flood risk management interventions are planned and sequenced to mirror increasing flood risks arising due to climate change, and that these anticipated interventions are flexible and adaptable to the uncertainty related to possible future climate scenarios.

Operation and maintenance on the scheme is being led by the OPW Drainage West team. Maintenance was undertaken on the channels around the Claregalway Scheme in 2022 and is being repeated in 2026, in accordance with a planned four-year cycle.

The Deputy may be aware that a Claregalway traffic and stormwater upgrade is currently being delivered by Galway County Council, which is a separate infrastructure project to the flood relief scheme here described.