“Dublin’s forgotten river could destroy hundreds of homes if OPW do not act”

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South Central Catherine Ardagh has urged the Office of Public Works to accelerate the Camac Flood Alleviation Scheme after the Head of Flood Risk Management, Jim Casey, confirmed to her that the project has been “significantly delayed”.

These delays were confirmed during Deputy Ardaghs questioning of Jim Casey at last week’s Public Accounts Committee. Mr Casey explained that the scheme has faced major setbacks due to problems with the hydraulic modelling carried out by an external consultancy.

The modelling has now been returned for further work, yet the OPW has retained the same consultants despite the issues already identified.

Speaking on her comments, Deputy Ardagh said:

“There are hundreds of homes across Inchicore that could literally fall into the Camac River.

“There is no ifs about it. It happened in January. A couple in Inchicore saw large parts of their home collapse into the river in a matter of moment. Potentially facing repair costs over €100,000.

“Not only did the consultants under deliver on essential modelling which has caused significant delays but the OPW then retained them to correct their own mistakes. There must be greater accountability within state bodies when work is outsourced to private companies.”

“Delays caused by the failure of third-party companies hired by the OPW are completely unacceptable when so many homes are at risk. Hundreds of homeowners are worried sick that their property could be next.

The Camac Catchment contains a large number of buildings identified as being at significant flood risk which is why the study has been treated as a high priority. The wider €50 million scheme aims to protect about 413 properties and is still in its first stage with preliminary design ongoing.

When Deputy Ardagh asked if construction could begin in the third quarter of 2026 Mr Casey said “certainly not,” adding that the inadequacies in the modelling work have pushed the scheme onto a much longer timeline.

He also confirmed there have been additional costs as a result of the remodelling though responsibility for those costs has not yet been decided.

Deputy Ardagh concluded:

“These are not just properties they are family homes. Homeowners deserve certainty and fast action from the OPW.

“The delays we are seeing here could put homes and even lives at risk. This cannot be allowed to continue and I will be following up with the OPW to ensure there is real urgency behind the delivery of the Camac Flood Alleviation Scheme.”

ENDS