Written answer
Flood Relief Schemes
Cavan Town’s flood relief scheme, intended to protect 110 properties, is delayed by survey and modelling challenges. Emerging options are expected by the end of 2026, followed by public consultation in early 2027; the preferred option is due by year-end and planning submission in 2028.
26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to date with the Cavan town flood relief scheme; when this project will proceed to the next stage. [74522/26]
Comment on this
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme, (CFRAM), completed in 2018 was the largest study of flood risk completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Since 2018, and working with Local Authorities, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of Flood Relief Schemes at design and construction. The Government has committed €1.3bn funding to support the delivery of some 150 Flood Relief Schemes under the National Development Plan to 2030.
The OPW is funding 1.5 staff members in Cavan County Council to lead the delivery of Flood Projects across the County and the Council is working in partnership with the OPW.
Cavan County Council is leading the delivery of Cavan Town Flood Relief Scheme to protect 110 properties. Engineering and Environmental Consultants were appointed to the Scheme in May 2022. The development of Cavan Town Flood Relief Scheme is overseen by a Project Steering Group that meets monthly with representatives from the OPW and Cavan County Council.
Emerging Options for the Scheme are expected at the end of 2026, with a next Public Consultation Day scheduled for Q1 2027. The preferred Option is due to be presented to the public at the end of 2027 and then submitted for planning in 2028. The design of the scheme has taken longer than originally planned, due to delays with surveys from demand in the market and the consultant's challenges with modelling of this complex scheme.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Cavan County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.
On the 25th May 2026, I announced details of the revised criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme which greatly increase the scope of the Scheme to provide local authorities with a greater opportunity to address localised flood and coastal erosion risks within their administrative areas. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2m and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. Further revisions include the relaxing of some economic criteria which lowers the required threshold for viable solutions.
Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under this Scheme of some €570,566 to County Cavan for 14 projects. This includes funding of €55,264 in April 2025 for interim works at Pollamore for a temporary flood plain storage area and delay flood peaks reaching the mouth of the culvert downstream at the Business Park. These works are now completed.