Views to be sought on flood measures

A public consultation on the emerging options for the Cavan Town Flood Relief Scheme is scheduled to begin in early 2026, marking a significant step forward in the project’s development.

The scheme, led by Cavan County Council in partnership with the Office of Public Works (OPW), is part of Ireland’s broader flood management strategy developed through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Completed in 2018, CFRAM identified the areas most at risk of flooding nationwide and provides the framework for a co-ordinated national response.

Since the study, the number of flood relief schemes in Ireland has tripled, with nearly 100 now in the design and construction phases. Cavan Town’s scheme is one of the key projects being developed, with environmental and engineering consultants appointed in 2022.

It is being overseen by a dedicated steering group made up of representatives from the OPW and the local authority who meet monthly to guide progress the local scheme. It follows five distinct stages - assessing flood risk and developing options, securing planning permission, detailed design, construction, and maintenance.

The next consultation day is expected in the first quarter of 2026, when emerging options will be presented to the public. A preferred option will then be selected and submitted for planning by the third quarter of 2027.

Funding for the scheme comes from the OPW as part of the Government’s €1.3bn investment in flood protection under the National Development Plan.

Further support has also been announced under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

Minister of State for the OPW, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, last week confirmed an increase in the financial threshold for approved projects under this scheme - from €750,000 to €2M - allowing for more extensive works and including nature-based solutions. In addition, €3M in new funding is being made available specifically to address river conveyance blockages that contribute to flood risks, provided they meet environmental and planning requirements.

Since its inception, the Minor Works Scheme has supported over 900 projects nationwide, protecting an estimated 7,900 homes.

Minister Moran emphasised the success of the scheme, crediting local authorities for their essential role in tackling localised flooding and coastal erosion.