"Significant progress" being made on flood relief measures across Louth - TD

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Erin McGreehan has said received confirmation that significant progress is being made on flood relief measures across County Louth. 

Deputy McGreehan stressed 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.

During Dáil questions, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers confirmed that funding of €339,480 for flood relief works in Ardee was approved by the OPW in July 2025. The works, which are being carried out by Louth County Council, are expected to protect approximately 30 properties and are due for completion by the fourth quarter of 2026

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.

The Dundalk and Blackrock South Flood Relief Scheme, which is expected to 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.

In Drogheda and Baltray, additional modelling has been completed and emerging options are expected to go to public consultation in the second quarter of 2026. The scheme is expected to protect 425 properties.

OPW funded works in Carlingford at Brown’s Lane and Newry Street have already been completed, while further measures are currently being assessed to improve the wider drainage system.