€154.1 million for future flood defences in Louth but measures needed now

Louth County Council has been told to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to develop interim schemes that can protect homes, businesses and prime agricultural areas against flooding, while permanent works are completed. 

Louth Fianna Fáil TD, Erin McGreehan said she was informed by Minister responsible for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, that €154.1 million has been committed to flood relief and coastal protection projects across Louth, but interim measures are urgently required while major flood defence projects progress.

Deputy McGreehan said she raised the issue with the Minister during a meeting of the Oireachtas Finance Committee last week.

She was advised that while significant progress is being made on a number of flood relief schemes, interim measures are necessary and local authorities should engage directly with the Department to advance them.

Speaking after the meeting Deputy McGreehan said: “Coastal erosion and flooding are impacting commuters right across the county from north Louth as far as Baltray in south Louth.

Read also: The roads and regions in Louth funded in the €23.4 million announced this week

“It has reached a point where livelihoods are being seriously affected through residential flooding, as well as flooding in prime agriculture areas.

“Significant funding has been committed to projects across the county to reduce the impact of flooding and coastal erosion, but these works are at different stages of development.

“What communities need now are interim measures to bridge the gap between immediate risk and the completion of long term solutions.”

The Minister confirmed that €154.1 million in investment has been committed for County Louth with flood relief works in Ardee, Drogheda and Carlingford progressing at various stages, and pressed for the need for interim flood defence measures to be taken.

Deputy McGreehan said that the Minister further encouraged Louth County Council to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to develop interim schemes that can protect homes, businesses and prime agricultural areas while permanent works are completed.

“Each flood event affects areas differently and interim supports must be tailored to local conditions. The only way to get these measures in place is through direct engagement with the Department so that appropriate supports can be designed and implemented for the areas that need them most.

“A priority of mine is the maintenance of rivers and the catchment. With the increased level of rainfall, it is causing very high levels of flooding mainly on agricultural land. Whilst not all of this flooding is preventable, with the adequate maintenance and management of rivers is essential.”

Deputy McGreehan said that she will be engaging with Louth County Council in the coming months to ensure active engagement with the Department to progress the implementation of interim flood protection measures.