Council approved to submit planning application for 'much-needed' west Clare flood relief scheme

Clare County Council have received approval to submit a planning application for a much needed flood relief scheme for Kilkee.

Kieran O’Donnell TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) announced that his office has given the approval for the council to submit the application.

Minister O’Donnell said he wished to "acknowledge the support from the Kilkee community that was valuable to inform the design of a scheme for its town, which will protect the 134 properties including 118 residential and families at risk from flooding.”

Kilkee experiences regular flooding due to the Victoria Stream overflowing its banks.

In 2018, following the Government’s introduction of Flood Risk Management Plans, Clare County Council with funding from the OPW appointed JBA engineering and environmental consultants to design a flood relief scheme for Kilkee.

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The scheme design for Kilkee consists of the construction of new flood defence walls, embankments, box culverts and open channels along the Victoria Stream and Well Stream, combined with a channel diversion and the creation of flood water storage areas along the Victoria Scheme.

The approval is the outcome of very detailed engineering analysis, environmental assessments and engagement with the public on the sources of flooding from Kilkee’s rivers and streams, including the Victoria, Well and Atlantic Streams and the options to protect the town.

“This is the first of two planned schemes for Kilkee and work is separately continuing on design for a scheme to manage the risk from coastal flooding in the town, Minister O’Donnell said.

"Flood Relief Schemes are already in place in Ennis, protecting some 2,000 properties and Sixmilebridge.

"A €5m flood relief scheme at Springfield is nearing completion and will protect 21 properties. Flood relief schemes are also being progressed for Shannon Town, with planning application expected in the first half of 2025.

"Clare County Council is preparing tenders to employ technical engineering and environmental services to progress flood relief schemes for Bunratty and Kilrush," Minister O’Donnell concluded.

The cost of constructing the proposed scheme will be met from the Government’s commitment to managing Ireland’s flood risk through the €1.3bn for flood relief measures set out in the National Development Plan.

The design of this and all flood relief schemes is future proofed and is adaptable to meet the increasing flood risk from climate change.

The Government is investing some €120million to manage the flood risk across Clare.

In addition to these major schemes, the Office of Public Works has approved €3.8m to Clare County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for localised flood relief works across 42 other locations in the county.

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