State estimates cost of flood defences for mica-affected estate at €1 million

The Office of Public Works has estimated that flood defences to protect nine homes affected by defective blocks in a Buncrana housing estate will cost €1 million.

Most of the homeowners at Elm Park, which was extensively flooded during the Big Flood in 2017, have asked to relocate and rebuild their homes under the DCB scheme, away from the floodplain on which their defective homes were constructed.

The relocation would allow the Crana River to follow its natural course during a flood - and save the State €1 million.

Read more: How Donegallive reported the Big Flood in 2017

Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, who oversees the Office of Public Works, provided a written answer to TD Charles Ward, who raised the issue in the Dáil.

Minister Moran said he has held two meetings with his counterpart in the Department of Housing to “explore a viable workable solution” for the homeowners, and that work on possible options is progressing.

The Minister of State also stated that the overall Buncrana-Luddan flood relief scheme has a budget of €6.8 million and will protect 32 properties when completed. The design of the flood defences, which has been under way since 2021, is expected to be finished by the end of 2026, the Minister added.

“Donegal County Council is leading the scheme delivery and has been in correspondence with the residents of Elm Park on a regular basis, having held two in-person meetings in February and May of 2024 to give updates, inform residents and to listen to their feedback,” the Minister stated in his written reply. “The Council is also considering viable flood mitigation measures, pending the scheme completion.”