Application for €51m Enniscorthy flood relief scheme expected to be submitted to planning authority in late 2026

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

A full application for the Enniscorthy flood relief scheme is expected to be submitted to the national planning authority in Q3 of 2026. With an estimated cost of €51m the long-mooted works will include the construction of flood defence walls, the widening and deepening of the River Slaney, and the removal of the Seamus Rafter Bridge with the construction of a new road and pedestrian bridges.

Requesting an update on the proposed works, local TD Johnny Mythen submitted a parliamentary question to the Public Expenditure Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran in which he asked for a progress report on the scheme and whether there are any “potential issues” which may “further delay its commencement”.

Noting that a second public consultation was due to take place before the end of the year during which the design team will present the “preferred option” to the public, Minister Moran said every effort was being made to ensure the project would be approved once submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP).

“Relevant environmental surveys are currently being updated and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be prepared,” he said. “It is envisaged that a planning application will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) in Q3 2026.

“Prior to lodging a planning application with ACP a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) application will be required from the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). Consultations with MARA will commence when sufficient detailed design has progressed.”

Phase 1 of the scheme will focus on the construction of the new River Slaney Bridge, the construction of a new pedestrian bridge and the removal of the Seamus Rafter Bridge.

Meanwhile, phase 2 of the project, which will see additional flood relief works carried out in Enniscorthy, is expected to go to tender by the end of this year with a consultant appointed for the works in early 2026.

“A detailed programme for the overall scheme (Phase 1 & Phase 2) will be subsequently developed,” continued Minister Moran.

“The Office of Public Works (OPW) and Wexford County Council (WCC) remain committed to the progression of this scheme, which currently has an approved total project budget of approximately €51m for flood relief measures, which will be funded under the Government’s €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan,” added Minister Moran.