More than half of the country’s major flood relief schemes have stalled

More than half of the country’s major flood relief schemes have stalled - with each project taking an average of 11 years to complete.

That's according to a report published by the Climate Change Advisory Council today, which describes the lack of progress as 'very concerning'.

The council's also warning Ireland must stop reacting to individual events and instead start preparing systematically for a climate of greater extremes, such as the incom­ing El Nino effect.

The report published by the State’s climate watchdog warns that 30 of 54 priority schemes are still at the design stage.

In Enniscorthy, which experienced some of the worst impacts of Storm Chandra in January and seven flooding events since 2000, construction has yet to begin on a flood defence scheme initiated in 2015 because of environmental concerns and planning issues.

“In April 2026, it was announced that the OPW has provided €2.6m in funding for interim flood protection measures in Enniscorthy, which are expected to be in place by October 2026,” the report added.

Chair of the council’s adaptation committee Peter Thorne said the major flood relief schemes should have “protected people by now”. Michelle McCrystall from Maynooth University, says it's like a boiling pot bubbling up since spring.