Laois County Councillors have slammed the ''red tape and lack of clarity' surrounding the delay of the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme.

Councillors have said that many Mountmellick locals are 'left in limbo', and are allegedly unable to insure or sell their properties in the areas affected by flooding.

The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme has been raised by Laois locals and politicians alike over the past eight years, following the severe flooding that hit the area in 2017.

While the preliminary design of the scheme is complete, Laois County Council have admitted that there has been little progress in the past year as they are still waiting on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to approve of the design.

Pictured: A flooded Mountmellick in 2017

"The preliminary design of the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme is complete and, subject to approval by the OPW, will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in Quarter 2, 2025," said Simon Walton, Director of Services with Laois County Council.

"In accordance with design standards, the proposed Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme will provide flood protection for a '1 in 100 year flood event', protecting properties previously impacted by flood events, such as that in November 2017.

"Furthermore, the Scheme is designed such that individual elements, of the Scheme are adaptable, to accommodate the introduction of future, supplementary works, to dully address climate change and residual flood risk, including residual flood risk for a 1 in 1000 year flood event," he said.

Mountmellick Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken slammed this response as 'disappointing' and sought more clarity.

"It has been almost eight years since the flooding happened in 2017, and I understood this was going to An Bord Planeala last year," he argued.

"It is also subject to approval by the OPW. I thought that the OPW, in conjunction with that whole scheme, were working in conjunction. It's subject to approval by the OPW. Can someone clarify that for me?" he asked.

Pictured: Mountmellick roads were left impassible in the 2017 flooding

Angela McEvoy, Director of Services with Laois County Council,  replied that 'it would be a 'sign off' from the OPW before the approval of it from An Bord Planeala.'

"The consultants have put it together and it will be signed off by the OPW, and go beyond there," Ms McEvoy explained.

Cllr Bracken expressed his frustration at the lack of progress in the scheme.

"It still hasn't been signed off? It's a huge issue going on eight years, we have had consultants on site and altering and changing the plan, while it's having a huge and detrimental effect on Mountmellick," Cllr Bracken said.

"In terms of the expansion of future planning and future housing, we are all aware that it's holding up developments that may come into Mountmellick, such as the N80 bypass. We are waiting eight years for this and it's very disappointing. 

"We all know what happened in 2017, so I would appreciate clarification and the speeding up of the process," he said.

Pictured: The evacuation of Sonas Community Creché during the Mountmellick floods. Photo: Paul Lalor

Cllr Bracken's motion was seconded by fellow Fianna Fáíl Cllr Seamus McDonald.

"I also support Cllr Bracken's notice of motion, it seems to be dragging on too long and it's a serious issue, with more heavy rain in the meantime," he said.

Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin supported Cllr Bracken, empathising with locals affected by the flooding.

"After what happened in 2017, there was €10 million meant to be for flood relief schemes in Mountmellick, Portarlington and Clonaslee.

"People affected by the flooding in 2017 have been living in limbo since, they can't insure their houses, they can't sell their houses, people are waiting for these schemes," Cllr Bergin said.

Watch: Dramatic footage of the Mountmellick floods in 2017

"As Cllr Bracken said, we need clarity on how long it will take for the scheme to go through the OPW to An Bord Planála, there is an incredible amount of red tape around these schemes.

"Everyone wants these flood relief schemes in place, before another incident happens. It seems like no one at national level is overseeing this, nor the minister, who is going to coordinate this and ensure that it is signed off on.

"It has been bounced around state agencies, from the OPW to An Bord Planeála, and that's how things stretch on for years.  It needs to be pushed through. We need these works to be prioritised," Cllr Bergin finished.

Cllr Bracken pointed out that so much time has passed, the original Minister of the OPW has lost his seat and returned to it in the time since the floods.

"The Boxer Moran walked around Mountmellick after that flood, and he had since lost his seat, and he's back in his seat again, it shows you the time that has passed with nothing done since," he said.

"Yes, the designs have been made, but there have been no works on the ground. €10 million was committed, but the money wasn't issued. And here we are still. People are living in fear of another flood, it's always on their mind," Cllr Bracken finished.

This motion was tabled at the April sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District.

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