Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South Central Catherine Ardagh has urged the Office of Public Works (OPW) to fast‑track the Camac Flood Alleviation Scheme after the OPW's Head of Flood Risk Management, Jim Casey, confirmed to her that the project has been "significantly delayed".

The confirmation came during last week's Public Accounts Committee, where Casey said the scheme had run into major setbacks due to problems with hydraulic modelling carried out by an external consultancy. While the modelling has been sent back for further work, the OPW has retained the same consultants despite the issues identified.

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.

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"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 includes many buildings assessed as being at significant flood risk, which is why the study has been designated a high priority. The wider €50 million scheme is intended to protect about 413 properties and remains at its initial stage, with preliminary design work ongoing."

Asked by Deputy Ardagh if construction could begin in the third quarter of 2026, Casey replied "certainly not", noting that inadequacies in the modelling have pushed the project onto a far longer timeline.

He also confirmed there have been additional costs due to the remodelling, though it has not yet been determined who will be responsible for them.

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."