Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works, as the lead agency for flood risk management, is coordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s National Flood Risk Policy.

Since 2018, a phased approach to scheme delivery, in partnership with local authorities, has allowed the OPW to treble the number of schemes at design, planning or construction at this time to some 100 schemes. A major scheme is currently being delivered in County Kilkenny at Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch. A small scheme at Ballyhale is also currently being progressed.

The OPW is piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes in counties Kilkenny and Donegal. Schemes at Freshford and Piltown form part of what is termed the Tranche II Pilot, along with two schemes in County Donegal.

The Tranche II Pilot will transfer the management of data gathering, as a first step in designing a scheme, from consultant engineers for a single scheme to the local authorities for all schemes in the Pilot and, where feasible, within their areas of responsibility. The Pilot means that data gathering may be scaled up from individual communities to all schemes in a county. The Pilot will better inform the prioritisation of future schemes nationally and the scope of services required from consultants to design and construct flood relief schemes.

A Steering Group has been established to oversee the Pilot, which includes representatives from the OPW and local authorities. Significant preparatory work is underway, with the range of information and data-gathering requirements currently being considered and outlined.