Written answer
Flood Relief Schemes
Dundalk/Blackrock South’s scheme aims to protect 1,880 properties, with a preferred option expected by year-end 2026 and planning consent targeted for 2028.
34. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the Dundalk flood relief scheme. [74408/26]
Comment on this
The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of some 150 Flood Relief Schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk.
In 2019, the Bellurgan Flood Relief Scheme was completed and is protecting 35 properties from significant flood risk.
Through the agreed national delivery model, and with Office of Public Works, (OPW), funding for 6.5 staff, Louth County Council is leading the delivery of five Flood Relief Schemes at Dundalk/Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford/ Greenore, Baltray and Ardee.
The Dundalk/Blackrock South scheme is to protect 1,880 properties. Engineering and Environmental Consultants were appointed in 2020. The emerging options for Blackrock were presented to the public in March 2026 and the emerging options for Dundalk were presented to the public in April 2026. The outcome from these consultation days is informing the agreement of the project's Steering Group of an Emerging Preferred Option at the end of 2026. Louth County Council will then hold a further Public Participation Day on the Preferred Option and this is currently programmed for Q2 2027, with submission for planning consent programmed for 2028.
The OPW understands that Louth County Council has been working closely and constructively with Uisce Éireann on their plans and studies to ensure alignment across planning, environmental, and flood risk priorities.
Louth County Council can apply to the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to introduce any interim measures for Dundalk, pending the completion of the scheme. I announced revisions to the scheme in May that increased the scope of this scheme, that now provides funding of up to €2m and an OPW contribution of 95% for funding amounts greater than €300,000.
Since 2009, funding of some €1.9 million has been approved for Louth County Council under this Scheme, for 27 projects. This includes five approved projects in Dundalk with approval of some €885,000. Projects approved to date are available to view through www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/.