Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Erin McGreehan has received confirmation that significant progress is being made on flood relief measures across County Louth, while stressing that continued urgency is required to avoid “thousands of Louth homes being impacted by floods.”
The Office of Public Works is currently leading the delivery of five major flood relief schemes across the Louth region at Dundalk and Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford and Greenore, Baltray and Ardee. These projects are at various stages of delivery.
In a recent exchange with Minister Jack Chambers during Dáil questions, the Louth TD received confirmation that significant progress is being made on a number of these projects under the State’s Catchment based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme.
Speaking afterwards, Deputy McGreehan said river flooding poses an existential threat to thousands of homes across the country. She said that as weather patterns continue to change, more and more properties will be at risk.
“That is why we need to be prepared, to give homeowners peace of mind,” she said.
“This is not sensational. We have seen similar situations with homes, including last year in Dublin when sections of a home fell into the Camac River.”
During the parliamentary questions, the Minister confirmed that funding of €339,480 for flood relief works in Ardee, which will protect approximately 30 properties, was approved by the OPW in July 2025. These works are being progressed by Louth County Council and are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Dundalk and Blackrock South Flood Relief Scheme, which will protect approximately 1,880 properties, is progressing through design and environmental assessment. Design options for this scheme are expected to be presented to the public in the first quarter of 2026, with a preferred option to be identified by mid 2026.
The Drogheda and Baltray scheme, which will protect 425 properties, has advanced following additional modelling work, with emerging options to be presented to the public in the second quarter of 2026.
In Carlingford, OPW funded works at Brown’s Lane and Newry Street have now been completed and are already reducing surface water flooding. Further measures are currently being assessed to improve the wider drainage system.
Concluding, Deputy McGreehan said:
“While it is promising that significant progress has been made on multiple major projects, thousands of homes remain at risk until they are completed.
“Renewed urgency in 2026 is needed to ensure the timely progression of these projects and to provide homeowners across Louth with peace of mind that their homes are safe.”
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
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