23. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the Nenagh flood relief scheme. [74385/26]

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the country, studied the flood risk for some two thirds of the population. The 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans were the output from the CFRAM study and identified some 150 additional flood relief schemes to protect at risk communities, including Nenagh.

Tipperary County Council is leading the delivery of this scheme. The scope and complexity of the flood risk in Nenagh, to protect some 60 properties, has evolved, and the Council in 2023 engaged with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to assist with the technical assessment required.

The OPW has recently completed preliminary site surveys and a Steering Group has been established to oversee delivery of the Nenagh Flood Relief Scheme.

The tender for consultants for Engineering and Environmental Services for the Nenagh Flood Relief Scheme was published on e-Tenders on 24th June 2026. It is expected that the tender process will be concluded in Q4 2026, and subject to approval, it is anticipated that consultants will be appointed in Q1 2027.  The appointment of consultants will inform the programme for the delivery of this flood relief scheme.

Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding under the Minor Works Scheme of some €2.58 million to Tipperary County Council for some 64 projects. Funding of some €179,834 for 5 projects located in Nenagh has been approved under the scheme for Tipperary County Council.

In May this year, I was pleased to announce that the revised criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (Minor Works Scheme) are available and greatly increase the scope of the Scheme and provides local authorities with a greater opportunity to address localised flooding and coastal erosion risk within their administrative areas. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2 million and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. I have also expanded the Scheme to include interim flood mitigation measures for communities where a major flood relief scheme is planned, but not complete. Further revisions include the relaxing of some economic criteria.

The OPW welcomes applications for funding under the scheme and is available to engage with Local Authorities in this regard. The full details of the revised scheme are available at: www.floodinfo.ie.