32. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the current status of the Clifden flood relief scheme, County Galway. [74703/26]

74. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the Clifden flood relief scheme. [74387/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 74 together.

Clifden has a long history of flooding including in 2020 and more recently in November 2024.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme, (CFRAM), was the largest study of flood risk and was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), in 2018. Since 2018, and working with local authorities, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction. As part of the CFRAM Programme a potential flood relief scheme was recommended for Clifden, Co. Galway. The OPW engaged with Galway County Council (GCC) and confirmed that the OPW would fund the costs of developing and implementing a scheme to alleviate flooding in Clifden, through the Government’s €1.3bn investment in flood measures under the National Development Plan.

Galway County Council, is the lead authority for the Clifden Flood Relief Scheme, with funding from the OPW, for one full time Engineer. The Council appointed Engineering and environmental consultants to design a scheme for Clifden in 2021.

The final Options Report for a viable flood relief scheme to manage the flood risk within Clifden for some 24 properties has been delivered by the appointed consultant and is being discussed with Galway County Council.

Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €12 million to County Galway for some 246 projects. This includes €76,500 approved for funding for coastal erosion works at Clifden. On 25th May 2026, I was pleased to announce revised criteria details for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme that greatly increases the scope of the Scheme. 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 provide for 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.

Galway County Council are currently developing an application for funding to the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to implement mitigation works on the Low Road in Clifden.