Dozens of 'priority' flood defence works yet to reach planning stage

Eva Osborne

Most flood defence works deemed critical to protecting homes and properties have still not entered the planning stage after eight years, according to The Irish Times.

Out of 54 large projects where some work has begun since they were prioritised for development in 2018, the majority, 31, remain at the preliminary design stage.

Target completion times for many of them run well into the 2030s.

13 others are at planning or detailed-design phase and will also take years to complete, while just 10 are under construction.

An additional 12 projects deemed necessary in 2018 are at an early stage of “consideration” and have yet to reach preliminary design, The Irish Times reported.

Dozens more deemed important but less urgent are on a “future” list to be considered further down the line.

The slow progress in delivering flood schemes comes to light amid growing frustration in communities experiencing recurring flooding, with long-promised protection works nowhere in sight.

Numerous politicians have blamed planning delays, judicial reviews, and environmental legislation.